On October 7, visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met with Italian Chamber of Deputies President Gianfranco Fini in Rome.

On October 7, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met with Italian Senate President Renato Schifani in Rome.

On October 7, 2010, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met respectively with Italian Chamber of Deputies President Gianfranco Fini and Senate President Renato Schifani in Rome.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Italy, and bilateral ties have now entered a relatively good phase, Wen said. Contributing to the positive development is the fact that the two sides respect each other's major concerns, have launched beneficial cooperation in a flexible and pragmatic way on the strength of their mutually complementary economies, and have enjoyed strong public support, he added. Stressing that China and Italy have extensive common interests and no conflict of fundamental interests, the premier said both countries should continue respecting, understanding and learning from each other and further expand their cooperation so as to make their bilateral ties closer and more fruitful. Meanwhile, Wen voiced the hope that the Italian legislature will enhance exchanges with the National People's Congress of China and help push forward China-Italy relations in a sustainable and steady manner.

For his part, Fini said improving relations with China is the consensus of Italy's political parties and the wish of the Italian public. Italy is willing to promote bilateral exchanges at different levels, deepen cooperation in politics, economy, culture and other fields and steadily propel bilateral ties forward, he added. Fini also lauded the contributions the Chinese living in Italy have made to the local socio-economic development and the bilateral friendly communications.

Schifani pointed out that the Chinese premier's visit to Italy will bring bilateral ties to a higher level. China has made important contributions to countering the global financial crisis and maintaining world peace, stability and development, and China's development offers the world more cooperation opportunities, he added. Italy is ready to further boost friendly cooperation between the two sides and better safeguard and promote the common interests of both countries and both peoples, he said.