On March 22, 2019 local time, President Xi Jinping and President Sergio Mattarella of Italy jointly met with representatives attending the meetings of the China-Italy Entrepreneur Committee, China-Italy Third Party Market Cooperation Forum and China-Italy Cultural Cooperation Mechanism in Rome.

Xi Jinping offered congratulations on the simultaneous convening of the three institutional meetings for the first time that showcases the China-Italy practical cooperation, and thanked the personages of business, cultural and art circles from the two countries for their long-time efforts in and contributions to promoting bilateral economic and trade cooperation, deepening mutual understanding between the two peoples and enhancing the friendship between the two countries. Xi Jinping pointed out that China and Italy boast a time-honored history and highly value carrying forward our own civilization, which lay the foundation for the two countries to enjoy mutual understanding and lasting friendship. Deep and strong roots help a tree grow tall and luxuriant. China and Italy are strategic partners featuring mutual respect and mutual trust, cooperative partners featuring mutual benefit and win-win results, and cultural exchange partners featuring mutual learning. China and Italy enjoy a solid political foundation for bilateral exchanges and cooperation, as the two sides can accommodate each other's core interests and major concerns. The two-way trade has developed steadily and the bilateral investment has grown rapidly, bringing tangible benefits to the two peoples. On cultural front, the two countries have witnessed splendid exchanges, taking the lead in cultural exchanges and cooperation between China and the West. I am full of confidence in the prospect of the development of China-Italy relations.

Xi Jinping emphasized that as next year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of China-Italy diplomatic relations, the two countries will hold year of culture and tourism in each other's country, and we will embrace new opportunities in cooperation in various areas. The Chinese side stands ready to work with all walks of life in Italy to push for a steady and long-term development of the bilateral relations on the path of mutual benefit and win-win results, and to make new contributions to boosting the China-Europe connectivity and global development and prosperity at large. It is hoped that personages of business and cultural circles in China and Italy could contribute more wisdom and strength in their own fields to the cooperation between the two countries.

Sergio Mattarella expressed that both Italy and China are countries with an ancient civilization, which is the root of our profound relations. The two countries enjoy a traditional friendship and a long history of economic, trade and cultural exchanges. Under the new circumstances, the Italian government supports the business community of the two countries in deepening economic, trade and investment cooperation, and supports cultural circles in carrying out all-ranging exchanges. The two sides should work together to elevate bilateral economic and trade cooperation to a new level, and expand cooperation on cultural Silk Road, in a bid to bring greater benefits to the two peoples, jointly respond to the challenges facing the world today, and lift bilateral relations to a new height.

Ding Xuexiang, Yang Jiechi, Wang Yi, He Lifeng and others attended the above activity.