Top Chinese political advisor urges China, Italy to expand cooperation

China's top political advisor Jia Qinglin on Wednesday called on China and Italy to intensify bilateral cooperation in various domains and further ties. Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), made the appeal during a meeting with Italian Senate President Renato Schifani. The two countries, both at a new stage of socioeconomic development, have the will and confidence to further cement bilateral ties, Jia said, urging the two sides to expand and deepen their cooperation in various fields. The CPPCC, he said, plays an important part in China's politics, and attaches great importance to exchanging experiences with the Italian Senate in the participation of national governance. Jia noted that the CPPCC is willing to maintain communication with the Italian Senate at various levels and through all channels so as to promote mutual understanding, broaden consensus and contribute to the development of relations between the two countries. Schifani said China and Italy are each other's comprehensive strategic partners, and it is a consensus among Italian senior leaders to push ahead the pragmatic cooperation with China in various areas. The sustained, rapid and steady growth of China's economy has provided important opportunities for Italy, he said, adding small and medium-sized enterprises in his country are dynamic and competitive and willing to scale up investment in China and expand cooperation with their Chinese peers. The Italian Senate, he said, is also ready to intensify exchanges and cooperation with the CPPCC. Italy is the first leg of Jia's three-nation tour which will also take him to Costa Rica and Argentina.