Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni arrives in China for first official visit

The prime minister will be looking to “relaunch bilateral relations in sectors of common interest”, an Italian official told Agence France-Presse on condition of anonymity.

Talks will focus on “the main issues on the international agenda, starting with the war in Ukraine”, the official added.

Before taking office, Meloni said joining the initiative – a central pillar of Xi’s bid to expand China’s clout overseas – had been a “mistake”.

Italy’s non-binding memorandum of understanding with China had contained broad undertakings for cooperation in logistics, infrastructure, financial and environmental sectors.

But details were scarce and the lack of transparency fuelled distrust among Italy’s allies.