Chinese FM meets Italian counterpart via video

BEIJING, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday met with Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio via video link.

Wang said that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Italy, and bilateral ties have overcome the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and maintained healthy and stable development.

China will advance reform and opening-up at a higher starting point and bring greater opportunities to countries, including Italy, Wang said. "The two sides should tap the potential of cooperation in various fields and further expand and deepen bilateral ties in the post-pandemic era."

Di Maio spoke highly of the progress of Italy-China relations and said that the Italian side firmly supports the EU-China comprehensive strategic partnership and supports the conclusion of EU-China comprehensive investment agreement at an early date.

Wang and Di Maio also attended the closing ceremony of the 10th joint meeting of the China-Italy Government Committee.