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QINGDAO TODAY
在线翻译:
szdaily -> News -> 
CHINA, ITALY SIGN BRI MOU TO ADVANCE CONNECTIVITY
    2019-03-25  08:53    Shenzhen Daily

CHINA and Italy signed in the Italian capital of Rome on Saturday a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to jointly advance the construction of the Belt and Road during President Xi Jinping’s state visit to the country.


The two sides welcome the signing of the intergovernmental MoU on jointly advancing the Belt and Road construction, said a joint communique issued by the two countries.


The two sides realize the huge potential of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in promoting connectivity, and stand ready to strengthen the alignment of the BRI and Trans-European Transport Networks and deepen the cooperation in ports, logistics, marine transportation and other areas, the communique said.


The BRI, first proposed by Xi in 2013, refers to the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, and aims to build a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe, Africa and beyond.


The two sides expressed willingness to join efforts under the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) to advance connectivity in line with the AIIB’s mission and functions.


More air links can be expected as the two sides agreed to facilitate airlines from each other to do business and ease the market access for them, according to the communique.


The communique said the two sides have agreed to advance China-Italy comprehensive strategic partnership in the spirit of mutual respect and mutual benefit for win-win outcomes.


During his state visit to Italy from Thursday to yesterday, Xi held talks with Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte on bilateral ties, as well as regional and international issues of common interest.


China and Italy were at the two ends of the ancient Silk Road, thus they have every reason to carry out cooperation on the Belt and Road, Xi said when meeting with Conte on Saturday.


Xi urged the two countries to take the opportunity of the inking of the intergovernmental MoU on jointly building the Belt and Road to strengthen the alignment of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) with Italy’s plan to develop its northern ports and the InvestItalia program, and promote mutually beneficial cooperation in all fields.


Conte said Italy is glad to seize the historic opportunity in joining the Belt and Road construction, adding that he strongly believes that it will help fully explore the potential of Italy-China cooperation.


The Italian prime minister said he is looking forward to attending the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation next month in Beijing.


During Xi’s visit, the two sides signed 19 intergovernmental bilateral cooperation documents, according to the communique.


After wrapping up his activities in Rome, Xi flew to Palermo, Sicily’s regional capital, where he met Nello Musumeci, president of the Italian Region of Sicily.


After Italy, the Chinese president will pay state visits to Monaco and France. Xi’s three-nation Europe tour is both his first overseas trip in 2019 and his second trip to Europe in about four months, which testifies to the importance China has attached to its relations with European countries.


This year marks the 15th anniversary of the China-Italy comprehensive strategic partnership and the two countries will celebrate the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations next year.


The visit to Monaco is the first visit by a Chinese president to the country, demonstrating China’s long-standing view that all countries are equal regardless of their sizes.


The current visit came more than three months after Xi visited Spain and Portugal. These visits show that China’s policy toward Europe is stable and consistent. (Xinhua)

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