Special Report: Hu attends G8,visits 2 nations |
ROME, July 5 (Xinhua) -- Italian President Giorgio Napolitano praised the relations between Italy and China and China's role in international affairs during a recent interview with Xinhua ahead of Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit to Italy.
The Italian president said Italy-China ties have seen rapid development in recent years, and the mutual understanding and cooperation between the two countries have also been deepened.
Relations between Italy and China are a comprehensive strategic partnership, which not only values economic and trade cooperation but also sees collaboration in international organizations, between government agencies and in areas of common concern, including in health care, vocational training and cultural relics exploitation, Napolitano said.
The businessmen accompanying President Hu to Italy will not only contribute to boosting bilateral trade, but also open up new investment channels in strategic fields such as environment and energy, the president said.
Napolitano stressed exchanges between the youth of the two countries, saying student exchanges between China and European countries, including Italy, "can enhance awareness of each other's culture and support global cooperation and peace."
"Italian students are deeply interested in studying in China and learning Chinese culture and language, just like in the past when they wanted to study in the United States. Vice versa, there are many Chinese students who choose to complete their studies in Italy," he said.
The Italian president said he was sure that such an investment in future generations would boost cooperation and exchange between Italy and China.
Napolitano also talked about events planned for the Chinese Year in Italy in 2010, which will mark the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The year 2010 will also mark the 400th anniversary of the birth of Matteo Ricci, "one of the most famous Italians in China and a symbol of the cultural and historical exchange between the two countries," he said.