Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Bali, Indonesia, Nov. 16, 2022. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)

BALI, Indonesia, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni here Wednesday evening.

Xi noted that in recent years, China and Italy have worked hand in hand to address COVID-19, and held events of the China-Italy Year of Culture and Tourism in each other's country as well as the "Tota Italia: Origins of a Nation" exhibition in China, reflecting vividly the friendship and exchanges between the two countries.

As two ancient civilizations, Xi said, China and Italy are comprehensive strategic partners that share broad common interests and a profound foundation for cooperation.

It is important for the two countries to carry forward the tradition of friendship, understand and support each other's core interests and major concerns, pursue common ground while shelving differences, expand consensus, and set an example for relations between countries with different social systems and cultural backgrounds, Xi said.

Xi stressed his hope for the two sides to tap into the China-Italy Government Committee and dialogue mechanisms across sectors to explore the potential of cooperation in such areas as high-end manufacturing, clean energy, aviation and aerospace and in third-party markets.

China stays committed to high-level opening-up and will import more quality products from Italy, Xi said, adding that China welcomes Italy to be the guest of honor of the 2023 China International Consumer Products Expo.

The two sides need to leverage the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milan to step up cooperation on winter sports and industries, Xi said.

China will continue to strengthen communication and coordination with Italy within the Group of 20 (G20) and on other multilateral platforms, so as to deepen solidarity and cooperation, advocate true multilateralism, and jointly respond to the global economic and other major challenges, he said.

Under the current circumstances, promoting the steady growth of the China-EU relationship is of great importance, Xi said, adding that it is hoped that Italy will play an important role in promoting the EU's commitment to an independent and positive China policy.

For her part, Meloni expressed her pleasure to have the opportunity to meet with Xi.

Italy and China are both ancient civilizations, and have a long tradition of friendship and exchanges, she said, adding that the Italian side is glad to see the events of the Year of Culture and Tourism being held, and stands ready to continue advancing bilateral cooperation in such areas as trade and culture.

Meloni said Italy does not approve of bloc confrontation, and believes that countries should respect their differences and disagreements, strengthen solidarity, keep to dialogue and exchanges, and enhance mutual understanding.

China is a major country and Asia is becoming more and more important for the world, Meloni said, adding that Italy hopes to closely collaborate with China within the United Nations, G20 and other frameworks to tackle the various pressing challenges facing the world in a more effective manner.

Ding Xuexiang, Wang Yi and He Lifeng, among others, were present at the meeting.

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Bali, Indonesia, Nov. 16, 2022. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)