As Chinese President Hu Jintao ends his state visit to Italy, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi introduced the outcome of the visit to the journalists accompanying President Hu on the tour.

Yang said that the state visit of President Hu to Italy is very successful. During the visit, President Hu held talks with Italian President Napolitano, met with Prime Minister Berlusconi and speakers of the two houses of the Italian parliament and extensively contacted the Italian people in the political, business and media sectors. The leaders of both countries reviewed the development of China-Italy relations and agreed unanimously to take the opportunities of the 40th anniversary of the establishment of China-Italy diplomatic ties and the “Year of Chinese Culture” activities held in Italy next year to strengthen high-level exchanges, increase political mutual trust, expand pragmatic cooperation and lift the China-Italy all-round strategic partnership to a new level. They mainly discussed topics on how to deepen trade and economic cooperation and cope with the international financial crisis. Both sides agreed to broaden cooperation, consolidate cooperative outcomes and cultivate new growth points of cooperation. China sent the trade and investment promotion delegation to Italy, which fully demonstrated China's sincerity and active attitude of developing the bilateral trade and economic relations and received warm responses from the Italian government officials and business community. The businesses of both countries also signed a number of cooperation agreements on trade and environmental protection.

During the talks and meetings with the Italian leaders, President Hu comprehensively reviewed the unusual course of China-Italy relations and summarized four key points concerning the development of bilateral ties. First, the Chinese and the Italian people enjoy a tradition of profound friendship. The two countries have neither fundamental conflict of interest nor problems left over from history, which lays down a solid foundation for the bilateral relations. Second, both sides always support and take care of the major concerns of each other, shelve the differences of social system and cultural tradition, adhere to treating each other as equals and extend mutual respect and trust. Third, China and Italy look at and handle the bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term perspective and the decision of establishing the all-round strategic partnership injects great vigor into the bilateral comprehensive cooperation. Fourth, the two countries hold identical or similar opinions on many major international and regional issues. They are committed to promoting world peace and development and enjoy ever expanding common interest and cooperation.

Looking into the future of bilateral relations, President Hu pointed out that China is willing to join hands with Italy and take the opportunity of the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties next year to carry forward the tradition of friendly cooperation, tackle the international financial crisis and push forward the all-round strategic partnership. He raised five points of suggestion on developing the bilateral relations:

First, reinforcing high-level exchanges and consolidating China-Italy friendship. Both sides should make great efforts to ensure the success of the celebrations on the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties and the “Year of Chinese Culture” in Italy and deepen the mutual understanding and friendship between their people.

Second, enhancing political mutual trust and taking into account each other's major concerns. Italy is expected to continue to play an active and important role within the EU of promoting the healthy and stable development of China-EU relations.

Third, expanding pragmatic cooperation and achieving mutual benefit. The two countries should strengthen dialogue on macroeconomic policies, broaden financial and fiscal cooperation, encourage businesses, especially the SMEs to increase mutual investment and technological cooperation, step up cooperation in such new fields as science and technology, environmental protection, pharmaceuticals and tourism and cultivate new growth points.

Fourth, widening humanities exchanges and building up friendship between the people. The exchanges between the institutions of higher learning, research institutes, think-tanks and media of both countries should be reinforced and the bilateral exchanges at the local and non-governmental levels be expanded.

Fifth, pushing forward multilateral cooperation and promoting harmony in the world. The two countries should intensify communications and coordination within the international organizations and multilateral frameworks, conduct dialogues and consultations on such major international issues like the international financial crisis, UN Security Council reform, climate change, environmental protection and sustainable development and work shoulder by shoulder to advance peace and development in the world.

President Hu's comments on the bilateral relationship and suggestions on its further development received active responses from the Italian leaders. They noted that Italy and China enjoy a long history of friendship. Although the two countries are far away from each other, the hearts of their people are linked together. Celebrations will be held next year marking the 40th anniversary of China-Italy diplomatic ties. The bilateral cooperation in a wide range of areas has moved forward steadily since 2004 when Italy and China established the all-round strategic partnership. Italy is willing to expand the pragmatic cooperation with China in the fields of trade and economy, tourism, science and technology and environmental protection, make careful preparations for the “Year of Chinese Culture” in Italy next year and promote the progress of bilateral relations.

The Italian side also indicated that China plays an important role on the international arena and Italy and China hold many consensuses on international issues. The peaceful and harmonious development of China is a major contribution to the world. The Italian side admires China's proposition on building a harmonious world and relevant achievements and expects to strengthen cooperation with China on multilateral occasions including the G8-developing countries dialogue.

The Italian side spoke highly of China's countermeasures to the international financial crisis and expressed delight that China's policy measures of stimulating the economic development have achieved positive effects. China's active participation is indispensable to coping with the international financial crisis, reforming the international financial system and realizing sustainable development.

President Hu returned to China on the early morning of July 8 ahead of schedule after concluding his state visit to Italy given the situation in Xinjiang, said Yang. State Councilor Dai Bingguo, on behalf of President Hu, will attend the G8-developing countries dialogue held in L'Aquila, Italy. The Chinese and Portuguese sides will discuss another date for President Hu's state visit to Portugal.

Yang said finally that President Hu's visit to Italy, with a rich schedule and fruitful results, reached the anticipated goals and achieved a full success. The visit will move the China-Italy all-round strategic partnership to a new height and benefit the people of the two countries.