China Induces EU Division... Proposes "Shipbuilding and AI Cooperation" to Italy

Amid trade frictions between China and the European Union (EU), the Chinese Premier met with the Italian Prime Minister and expressed the intention to strengthen cooperation in fields such as shipbuilding, aviation, aerospace, new energy, and artificial intelligence (AI).

[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to China's state-run Xinhua News Agency on the 29th, Premier Li Qiang met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni the previous afternoon at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, stating, "The two countries should continuously expand trade volume while strengthening cooperation in areas such as shipbuilding, aviation, aerospace, new energy, and AI."

He added, "China hopes that Italy will provide a fair, safe, and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises," and "hopes that the EU will view China's development objectively and rationally, deepen dialogue and cooperation, promote the peaceful and healthy development of China-EU relations, and jointly respond to global challenges."

In response, Prime Minister Meloni said, "I hope the two countries will build a bridge of friendship on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership and the 700th anniversary of Marco Polo's death," and "Italy is willing to play a positive role in fostering frank dialogue between the EU and China and building a more stable cooperative relationship."

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Zhen said at a briefing that "the practical cooperation achievements between China and Italy are abundant, and the scale of trade and investment continues to expand, bringing real benefits to the peoples of both countries," adding, "In the current challenging global economic recovery situation, stronger economic and trade cooperation between the two countries will inject more momentum into their development."

Prime Minister Meloni is scheduled to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the same day.

Meloni's visit to China, which began on the 27th, has attracted attention as it takes place amid escalating trade tensions between the EU and China. Earlier this month, the EU decided to impose provisional anti-subsidy tariffs ranging from 17.4% to 37.6% on top of the existing 10% tariff on Chinese electric vehicles.

China is encouraging divisions among EU member states by emphasizing bilateral trade relations through individual contacts with EU countries.