On April 27, 2019, President Xi Jinping met with Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte of Italy at the Great Hall of the People.

Xi Jinping extended once again his heartfelt gratitude for the warm and thoughtful reception during his state visit to Italy last month. During the visit, I deeply felt Italy's eager expectations for forging cooperation with China and the sincere friendship of the Italian people towards the Chinese people. The announcement of the Italian side that Italy would return over 700 pieces of Chinese cultural relics also received warm response from the Chinese people. Relevant exhibitions are being staged at the National Museum of China. The Chinese side highly commends Italy's signing the memorandum of understanding with the Chinese side on cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, taking the lead among major Western countries. The Chinese side is willing to work with the Italian side in advancing the Belt and Road Initiative, expand trade and mutual investment, deepen practical cooperation, scientific and technological exchanges as well as people-to-people and cultural exchanges, thus letting China-Italy relations yield fruitful results and the two peoples have a stronger sense of gain from the friendly cooperation, and making the bilateral relations a model of cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative between China and European countries. The two sides should also firmly grasp the strategic significance of China-Italy relations, step up coordination and cooperation in improving the global governance system, safeguard free trade and multilateralism, and build a new model of international relations featuring mutual respect, fairness, justice, and win-win cooperation. It is hoped that the Italian side will play a greater role in promoting the development of China-Europe relations.

Giuseppe Conte congratulated China on the successful holding of the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. I had carefully studied the keynote speech delivered by President Xi Jinping at the opening ceremony of the forum and his important speech at the roundtable, and thought they are of great strategic significance and can help the international community understand the significant benefits of the Belt and Road Initiative for the world. President Xi Jinping's visit to Italy last month has vigorously promoted the development of Italy-China relations, leaving a deep impression on the Italian people. Italy is firmly committed to participating in the Belt and Road Initiative, believing that the Belt and Road Initiative is a good opportunity for the world, and more countries will take part in the joint construction. As a comprehensive strategic partner of China, Italy welcomes Chinese companies to invest in Italy, and will not adopt discriminatory policies against them. As both Italy and China are countries with an ancient civilization, the two countries should strengthen dialogue between civilizations, reinforce solidarity and cooperation, and safeguard multilateralism.

Ding Xuexiang, Yang Jiechi, Wang Yi and He Lifeng attended the meeting.