On July 19, 2011, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi held talks with Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini in Beijing.
Yang said the Sino-Italian relations have witnessed positive progress. China is willing to work with Italy to carry out exchanges at all levels, deepen mutual understanding, and consolidate mutual political trust. China is willing to work in close communication and coordination with Italy on major international issues. The two sides should earnestly implement the three-year action plan for strengthening the Sino-Italian economic cooperation. The two sides should promote practical cooperation in trade, technology, environmental protection and other areas and jointly cope with the profound impact of global financial crisis to achieve common development. The China-Italy Government Committee has become an important platform planning and guiding the cooperation between the two countries. Yang appreciated the efforts made by Italy to actively promote China-EU relations. China hopes to make joint efforts with Italy to promote mutual understanding between China and EU and achieve mutual benefit and win-win results.
Frattini said the China-Italy relations are based on mutual understanding and trust. The Italian side is willing to strengthen communication, carry out all-round cooperation, and expand personnel exchange with China to make China-Italy relations continue to stand at the forefront of China-EU relations.
The closing ceremony of the 4th joint meeting of China-Italy Government Committee was held prior to the talks. Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Minister of Civil Affairs Li Liguo and other leaders signed a number of cooperation documents with Italy including the Joint Document of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Italy on Continuing to Deepen China-Italy Relations and Strengthen the Role of China-Italy Government Committee, the Agreement between China and Italy on the Waiver of the Visa Requirement for the Holders of Diplomatic Passports, and the Memorandum of Understanding on the Cooperation between the Ministry of Civil Affairs of the People's Republic of China and the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy of the Republic of Italy.