Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao shakes hands with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi (R) at Palazzo Chigi in Rome, October 7, 2010. [Photo/Xinhua]
ROME - Premier Wen Jiabao joined his Italian counterpart, Silvio Berlusconi, in Rome on Thursday to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties.
The two leaders also formally launched Chinese Culture Year in Italy to promote mutual understanding and friendship.
During the past four decades, Sino-Italian relations have withstood the constant changes of the international situation and have steadily moved forward, Wen said.
The two sides maintain frequent exchanges, enjoy deepening mutual political trust and coordinate closely on major international affairs, he said.
Wen also said bilateral trade and investment, and people-to-people exchanges have also undergone rapid growth.
The relationship between Beijing and Rome provides a strong impetus for the development of ties between China and the European Union (EU). It also makes contributions to worldwide peace and development, Wen told the massive audience gathered for the event.
China is ready to work with Italy to seize upon opportunities and take ties to higher levels by sticking to mutual respect, benefit and learning, win-win cooperation and peaceful development, he said.
Wen pointed out China and Italy are both ancient civilizations and have been communicating and blending for millennia despite the thousands of miles between them. They have deeply influenced human civilization's progress.
Since China and Italy established diplomatic ties, cultural exchanges have been growing larger in scale, more diverse in form and higher in degree. The Chinese Culture Year in Italy marks yet another milestone in this relationship, Wen said.
When the Chinese Culture Year program reaches modernized ancient Italian cities, such as Rome, Milan and Venice, it will surely enhance the two countries' understanding and friendship. This will breathe new life into exchanges and cooperation in various fields, he added.
Berlusconi said China, as an influential international player, is assuming an increasingly important role in international affairs.
Over the past 40 years, bilateral relations have undergone positive development, he said. Berlusconi added that during Wen's visit the two sides clarified priorities for cooperation and reached a consensus on how to advance ties.
Italy is willing to seize the opportunities created by China's development to deepen pragmatic cooperation and promote cultural exchanges, he added.
Also on Thursday, the Chinese premier gave awards to Italian groups and individuals for their contributions to the friendship between the two countries.
Wen arrived in Italy on Wednesday after visits to Greece and Belgium, and an unscheduled meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Germany.
Source: China Daily
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