ROME: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated on Sunday that Italy has not yet made a decision to quit China’s Belt and Road investment plan. However, she emphasized that if Italy were to choose to exit the initiative, it would not harm bilateral relations with China.
Speaking at a press conference following the conclusion of the G20 summit in New Delhi, where she had held talks with Chinese Premier Li Qiang the day before, Meloni revealed that the decision regarding the Belt and Road initiative had not been finalized. She acknowledged that critics of the project view it as a means to increase China’s influence, and there is growing pressure for Italy to withdraw. Nevertheless, Meloni aims to handle any potential exit without causing tensions between the two nations.
The agreement to participate in the Belt and Road initiative is set to automatically renew in March 2024 unless Italy chooses to opt out by the end of this year. Meloni explained that the government is currently “evaluating the merits” of its involvement in the trillion-dollar investment scheme, which Italy, grappling with debt, had joined in 2019, becoming the sole developed democracy within the group to do so.
Bilateral Relations Between Italy and China
Earlier this month, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani expressed dissatisfaction with the outcomes achieved through the Belt and Road initiative, further fueling speculation about Italy’s future participation.
While the Italian Prime Minister is expected to undertake a state visit to Beijing in the coming months or early next year, she refrained from specifying a precise date, noting that it would be more meaningful to visit China when more details regarding bilateral cooperation and its development are available.
Meloni’s meeting with Premier Li marked their first face-to-face encounter and affirmed the mutual intention to strengthen and deepen dialogue between Rome and Beijing on key bilateral and international matters. The 20th anniversary of the global strategic partnership between Italy and China is approaching, which is expected to serve as a significant milestone for advancing friendship and collaboration between the two nations.
