Posted 9/10/2023, 9:12:00 AM
Italy Seeks to Strengthen Ties with China Outside of Belt and Road Initiative
- Italian PM Strong partnership with China more important than BRI
- Italy only G7 nation to sign up to China's Belt and Road infrastructure initiative
- Italy considering leaving BRI to placate Western allies concerned about Chinese influence
- Italy instead seeking to revitalize 2004 strategic partnership agreement with China
- Italian PM met Chinese premier, described talks as polite and constructive
- China invited Italian PM to visit Beijing but no date set yet
- Italy also invited to October BRI forum hosted by China