Premier Li meets Italian PM

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R) meets with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, April 28, 2019. (Xinhua/Liu Bin)

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte in Beijing on Sunday.

Li said China is ready to work with Italy in enhancing bilateral high-level exchanges and align the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) with Italy's development strategies.

He welcomed Italian companies to invest in China, and called on both sides to provide a level playing field for each other's companies.

China is willing to import more high-quality agricultural products from Italy, and strengthen communication and coordination with Italy in international affairs such as coping with climate change, said Li, adding that China hopes Italy will continue to play a positive role in deepening China-Europe relations and promoting dialogue and cooperation in various fields.

Conte said the BRI has brought prosperity for the world and Italy will expand its participation in jointly advancing the initiative.

He also said the Italian side is ready to strengthen communication and coordination with China on major multilateral fields including the United Nations, the World Trade Organization reform and climate change.

After the meeting, they attended a signing ceremony of bilateral cooperation documents.