Relations between Italy and China are entering a new phase of strategic cooperation. According to the former Italian ambassador to Beijing and president of the Center for Studies on Contemporary China , Alberto Bradanini, the high-level opening promoted by the Chinese government today represents a fundamental step towards building a more stable, inclusive and sustainable world order.
In an interview given to People's Daily Online , Bradanini emphasized how the economies of Rome and Beijing can converge in numerous areas: technological innovation, green transition, infrastructure, education, and cultural exchanges. According to the diplomat, cultivating these synergies would strengthen a balanced and mutually beneficial development model.
G20, Italy-China relations, a new phase of cooperation: the value of China's 15th Five-Year Plan
The guidelines of China's Fifteenth Five-Year Plan are attracting the attention of global economies. Bradanini explained that long-term economic planning is one of the strengths of the Chinese system, as it allows the country to clearly define timelines and efficiently coordinate material, technological, and intellectual resources.
«"China has built a development model that combines physical infrastructure and scientific knowledge in a balance that represents a benchmark for both the Global South and Western economies," Bradanini highlighted.
The new plan aims to expand institutional openness, support multilateral trade, and create a network of international cooperation based on shared benefits. For the former ambassador, this strategy not only stimulates domestic growth but also promotes a model of inclusive economic diplomacy.
Italy-China Partnership: Twenty Years of Growth
Since 2004, with the launch of the Global Strategic Partnership , Rome and Beijing have intensified bilateral relations in many fields. On the occasion of the twentieth anniversary, the official visit to China by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni led to the signing of the Action Plan 2024-2027 , which strengthens cooperation between the two countries in key areas such as trade, finance, scientific research, clean energy, healthcare and education.
Bradanini recalled that the experiences gained by Italy and China represent a concrete basis for long-term cooperation, especially in the context of the 15th Five-Year Plan, in which the complementarity between Chinese technological innovation and Italian industrial expertise can generate mutual value.
55 years of diplomatic relations and cultural exchanges
2025 marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Rome and Beijing, a milestone that celebrates decades of constructive dialogue. Bradanini reiterated the importance of civil society dialogue and cultural cooperation as tools to strengthen the relationship between the two countries. According to the diplomat, the strength of the Sino-Italian bond lies not only in the economy, but also in their shared cultural heritage.
«"The Italian and Chinese civilizations, despite coming from different contexts, share profound values and a harmonious vision of human coexistence. In a world rife with geopolitical uncertainty, this dialogue can become a bridge of stability and mutual trust.".
Italy and China towards a shared future
Bradanini's analysis converges on a key point. Building a sustainable future requires cooperation between complementary economies. Italy, with its manufacturing tradition and cultural soft power, can be a privileged interlocutor for China in a new phase of globalization oriented toward peace and shared prosperity.