Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi  met with Italy's Health Minister, Gerolamo Sirchia in Beijing Wednesday. Wu Yi says cooperation between China and Italy in health and trade will benefit the people of both countries.

The vice premier says the Chinese government supports medical professionals and entrepreneurs from China and Italy working together to develop new medicines and medical equipment.

She stresses through such cooperation, quality Chinese medical products can be introduced into Italy and European made high-tech medical products can also be brought into the Chinese market.

Sirchia says Italy is very interested in Chinese traditional medicine.

China and Italy last May signed several agreements on developing Chinese traditional medicine, disease diagnoses and treatment as well as drug monitoring and administration.

(CRI September 2, 2004)