Background

China-Italy relations

(fmprc.gov.cn)
Updated: 2010-09-28 17:34

On November 30, 1964, China and Italy signed an agreement on mutually setting up representative offices for civil commerce in Rome and sent to each other commercial representatives at the beginning of 1965. On November 6, 1970, the two countries established formal diplomatic relations. In June 1985, the two countries set up its respective consulate in Milan and Shanghai. In June 1998, China set up its consulate general in Florence and in November the same year Italy put up its consulate general in Guangzhou.

It has seen a favorable development of friendly cooperation in all fields since the establishment of the diplomatic relations between the two countries, and especially during recent years, due to the frequent mutual visits at high levels, the two sides have deepened the mutual understanding and promoted the development of the bilateral relations.

In recent years, Chinese leaders who visited Italy include: Premier Li Peng of the State Council in 1996, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the NPC Qiao Shi in 1997, Chairman of the NPPCC Li Ruihuan in 1997, President of the PRC Jiang Zemin in 1999, Premier Zhu Rongji of the State Council in 2000 and Vice-premier of the State Council Li Lanqing in 2002. Persons of importance who visited China from Italy include: Foreign Minister Antonio Martino in 1994, Speaker of the Senate Giovanni Spadolini in 1994, Prime minister Romano Prodi in 1997, President of Italy Oscarluigi Scalfaro in 1998, Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Luciano Violante in 2000, Foreign minister Lamberto Dini in 2000 and Prime minister Giuliano Amato in 2001 and others.