On April 12, in Beijing, Wang Yang, chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, met with Italian Senate Speaker Maria Elisabetta Alberti Casellati on Tuesday via video link.

Wang Yang said that China and Italy enjoy a traditional friendship and bilateral relations have always developed in a healthy and stable manner. President Xi Jinping maintains close contacts with President Mattarella and Premier Draghi to provide guidance and jointly plan the development of bilateral relations.

The Chinese side is willing to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, exploit the potential of cooperation, jointly carry forward the Belt and Road Initiative, deepen cultural exchanges, renew friendship for the Winter Olympics and promote the greater development of the China-Italy comprehensive strategic partnership.

Casellati in turn said that Italy is willing to deepen friendship and expand cooperation with China, as well as actively support and promote the development of EU-China relations.