Hu offers five-point proposal on boosting Chinese-Italian ties
- Source: Xinhua
- [11:12 July 07 2009]
- Comments
Chinese President Hu Jintao on Monday put forward a five-point proposal on boosting Chinese-Italian ties.
In talks with Italian President Giorgio Napolitano, Hu said bilateral ties have witnessed healthy and stable expansion over the past 39 years since the two established diplomatic relations.
In 2004, the two countries agreed to build an all-around strategic partnership, unveiling a new page for the Chinese-Italian friendly cooperation, Hu noted.
As next year is to mark the 40th anniversary of the forging of bilateral diplomatic relations, China is willing to join hands with Italy to lift bilateral ties to a higher level, Hu said.
The Chinese president thus offered a five-point proposal in a bid to boost bilateral ties in an all-around manner.
Firstly, Hu said the two countries should increase communications,exchanges and mutual visits between high-level leaders.
Hu proposed that both sides host various events to mark the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, adding that much attention should be attached to the "Chinese Culture Year" next year in Italy.
Secondly, Hu said the two sides should enhance political mutual trust and understand each other's major concerns.
The Taiwan and Tibet issues are the key concerns of the Chinese side, Hu said, urging Italy to understand China's concerns and offer support.
Hu also said he believed Italy would continue to exert its influence within the European Union to boost the EU-China ties at large.
Thirdly, Hu urged both sides to expand substantial cooperation on various fields such as trade, investment, science and technology, environment protection, medicine and tourism.
Fourthly, the Chinese president said both sides should increase people-to-people communications and cultural exchanges in order to boost bilateral friendship.
Finally, Hu urged both sides to conduct more cooperation and communications in international organizations and on multi-national occasions.
Hu said both countries could enhance dialogue and coordination on various major international issues like tackling the global financial crisis, reform of the UN Security Council, climate change, environment protection and sustainable development.
The two leaders held the talks at the Quirinal Palace, and Napolitano hosted a grand welcoming ceremony in honor of Hu prior to their meeting.
Hu arrived in Rome earlier on Sunday for a state visit at the invitation of Napolitano.
Hu was also to attend the summit of the Group of Eight and major developing countries later this week in L'Aquila.
This is the sixth time that the Chinese president has attended the G8 outreach session. The previous one took place in the northern Japanese resort of Toyako last July.
The G8, an informal forum of leading industrialized nations, includes Germany, France, Britain, Italy, Japan, the United States, Canada and Russia.