Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni recently embarked on her first official trip to China, marking the first visit by an Italian prime minister since 2019. The primary focus of her trip was to enhance the relationship between Italy and China, especially in terms of economic cooperation. During her visit, Meloni signed a three-year strategic partnership plan with China across various sectors, with a particular emphasis on boosting Italy’s automotive industry, which is considered one of the country’s key sectors.
Roberto Vavassori, the president of the Italian Association of the automotive industry ANFIA, highlighted the importance of political support in encouraging Chinese companies to invest in Italy. He mentioned that Italian companies need to prepare the ground for Chinese expertise to be brought to Italy, especially in the areas of electric vehicles and renewable energies. The goal of the new partnership is to promote vehicle manufacturing in Europe, particularly in Italy, to further develop electric vehicles and renewable energy capabilities.
One of the significant points of the agreement signed during Meloni’s visit was to address the gap in vehicle manufacturing between Italy and China. Vavassori emphasized the need for Italy to increase its vehicle production to compete with China, which manufactures around 27 million vehicles compared to Italy’s half a million. This gap highlights the importance of Italy acquiring the necessary competencies to make its automotive sector more competitive and align with the green transition.
As Italy and other EU member states navigate their relationships with China, the need for a coherent China policy becomes increasingly crucial. Silvia Menegazzi, an assistant professor in Chinese Studies at Luiss University, explained that Italy’s approach to China differs from the Belt and Road Initiative, focusing more on a bilateral partnership. China is Italy’s second-largest extra EU trading partner, and Meloni expressed a commitment to bridging the investment disparity between the two countries, aiming to increase Chinese investments in Italy.
Meloni’s visit to China received significant political backing from both the Chinese president and the Italian leader, signifying a step towards strengthening ties and boosting economic cooperation. The strategic partnership plan signed between Italy and China aims to foster collaboration across various sectors, with a specific focus on revitalizing Italy’s automotive industry. Electric vehicles and renewable energies are key areas of development under the new agreement, highlighting the importance of Italy enhancing its capabilities to compete globally.
In conclusion, Giorgia Meloni’s visit to China marks a significant milestone in Italy-China relations, with a strong emphasis on strengthening economic ties and strategic partnerships. As Italy looks to boost its automotive industry and align with the green transition, collaborations with China in areas such as electric vehicles and renewable energies are pivotal. The commitment to increasing Chinese investments in Italy reflects the importance of balancing trade relationships and addressing investment imbalances between the two countries. This visit sets the stage for future collaborations and initiatives that will benefit both Italy and China in the long term.
