The Chinese Foreign Ministry published a transcript of Q&A on the Italian Belt and Road membership, in which the ministry’s spokesperson rebuked allegations that the BRI memorandum did not bring any benefit to Italy—an allegation pushed by anti-China circles, including, recently, by the Council on Foreign Relations (see accompanying slug).
The journalist, obviously taking mere media reports as truth, asked: “It was reported that Italy is considering not renewing the Belt and Road cooperation document, and it has expressed the hope that this would not affect its relations with China and willingness to continue enhancing cooperation with China. What is your response?
The spokesperson answered: “Engaging in Belt and Road cooperation is a right choice made by China and Italy based on the two countries’ historical and cultural bond and practical need for development. The signing of the Belt and Road cooperation document unleashed great enthusiasm and potential for bilateral cooperation. Over the past five years, bilateral trade has increased by 42%, reaching nearly $80 billion last year. Italy was the guest country of honor at the China International Import Expo and the China International Consumer Products Expo, and many Italian products can be found in the Chinese market. The two countries jointly built large-scale cruise ships and carried out third-market cooperation in Africa, the Middle East and Latin America. Italy has become the top European destination for Chinese tourists, and Italian art exhibitions and performances are quite popular in China.
