China-Italy Media Dialogue discusses bilateral ties and media cooperation

The China-Italy Media Dialogue was held in Rome on Wednesday, with the theme of Belt and Road as well as media cooperation.

This is one of a series of events marking Chinese President Xi Jinping’s upcoming state visit to Italy. The event is sponsored by China Media Group and co-sponsored by Economic Daily, Italian media group Class Editori and Italian newspaper Il Sole 24 Ore.

Speakers at the meeting include Jiang Jianguo, deputy head of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, Li Ruiyu, Chinese Ambassador to Italy, Du Zhanyuan, Director General of the Chinese Foreign Languages Publishing Administration, Vito Claudio Crimi, vice undersecretary of state of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers with responsibility for publishing, and Michele Geraci, Vice Minister of Economic Development of Italy.

Nearly 200 media representatives from China and Italy as well as experts and scholars participated in the dialogue.

In his speech, Jiang Jianguo said that Italy had joined hands with China to carry out pragmatic cooperation under the “Belt and Road” initiative, not only as a founding member of the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank, but also in joint port construction and market development in other countries.

Jiang believes that President Xi’s upcoming visit and the consensus to be reached with the Italian side will lead to more bilateral “Belt and Road” cooperation and bring new opportunities for media exchanges and pragmatic cooperation between China and Italy.

Jiang Jianguo suggested that the media of the two countries establish a regular exchange and cooperation mechanism, strengthen the sharing of experience in media integration and development, and contribute positively to the growth of bilateral ties through various forms of interaction and cooperation.

During the event, media representatives from the People’s Daily, Xinhua News Agency, China Media Group, Economic Daily, China Daily, Italy’s national broadcaster RAI, Mediaset, Milano Finanza, and Il Sole 24 Ore held in-depth discussions on bilateral media cooperation under the “Belt and Road” framework.

Italian media representatives said the visit of President Xi will inject strong impetus into the further development of the Sino-Italian comprehensive strategic partnership, mutually beneficial cooperation under the “Belt and Road” framework as well as media cooperation.

During the event, Economic Daily and Il Sole 24 Ore also signed agreements on cooperation.