ROME, July 24 (Reuters) - Italian Prime Minister Giorgia
Meloni will visit China from July 26-31 on her first trip there
since taking office, aiming to improve trade with China, a
person involved in the planning told Reuters.
Meloni, who sees Chinese investment as a way to spur Italy's
anaemic economic growth, is expected to meet Chinese President
Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang.
Italian tyre-maker Pirelli, energy group ENI, defence group
Leonardo, wine producers and several Italian luxury fashion
groups including Dolce & Gabbana are among the companies invited
to an Italy-China Business Forum to be held in Beijing on Sunday
and Monday during Meloni's visit.
In 2019, Italy became the only G7 country to join China's
trade and infrastructure project known as the Belt and Road
Initiative (BRI), but withdrew from it last year under U.S.
pressure over concerns about Beijing's economic reach.
Meloni's government said the deal had brought no benefits to
Italy, whose 73.9 billion euro ($80.13 billion) annual trade
with China, according to latest data, is heavily tilted towards
Beijing.
Bilateral trade and industrial agreements are expected to be
signed during Meloni's trip, another source close to the
planning said, without providing details.
One of the panels of the business forum will be dedicated to
the automotive sector. The Italian government is holding talks
with Chinese automakers as part of efforts to attract another
major automaker to the country in addition to Stellantis ( STLA )
and increase national car production.
China's industry ministry said earlier this month that it
was willing to promote practical cooperation with Italy in areas
such as automobiles, ships and small- and medium-sized
enterprises.
During her visit, Meloni is also expected to raise the
question of overcapacity in Chinese production and China's
support for Russia in Moscow's war with Ukraine.
At a meeting hosted by Italy in Borgo Egnazia last month,
the G7 members - the United States, Italy, Britain, France,
Germany, Japan and Canada - said they were not trying to harm
China or thwart its economic development but would continue to
take actions to protect their businesses from unfair practices.
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