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Chinese, Italian leaders agree to expand all-round cooperation

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China and Italy enjoy a good foundation for cooperation and China would like to expand that to other areas such as trade and investment, environment and culture, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said in Rome Thursday.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (L) and his Italian counterpart Silvio Berlusconi attend a symposium with Chinese and Italian entrepreneurs in Rome, Italy, Oct. 7, 2010. [Rao Aimin/Xinhua]

During a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi on the second day of his two-day visit, Wen applauded the fruitful bilateral cooperation the two countries have enjoyed since establishing diplomatic ties 40 years ago.

Wen said China expects to conduct high-level exchanges with Italy and at all levels, promote political mutual trust and expand cooperation.

The premier proposed that the two countries should make efforts to promote trade, enhance intellectual property rights protection, work hard to settle trade disputes, and oppose protectionism.

China and Italy could work to build for China a set of complete mechanisms of environmental risk assessment and emergency response and set up an environment technology promotion center, Wen said.

He said the two nations should advance their cooperation in technological innovations based on mutual benefit.

That, Wen said, would include bringing high-tech industries to the joint technology parks, building technology transfer centers in China, and exploring the possibility of establishing a industrial design center.

The premier also suggested the two sides coordinate for a better use of Italy's credit loans so as to bring more Italian investment China's way.

Cultural exchanges such as the Chinese Cultural Year in Italy should be encouraged to bridge mutual understanding. The two countries also could cooperate in filming TV series, programs, and movies, Wen said, adding that China supports Italy in making the 2015 World Expo in Milan a success.

Berlusconi said China has made important contributions to world economic recovery by maintaining steadfast and rapid economic growth. China had the best market for investment with great potential, he said.

Agreeing on Wen's proposals for cooperation, Berlusconi pledged that Italy would work closely with China to bring more benefits to the people of both countries.

After the meeting, the two leaders also attended the signing ceremony of agreements between the two governments on economy, science and technology, culture and justice.

They also met representatives of industrial communities of the two countries.

Wen arrived in Italy on Wednesday, the third leg of his four-nation tour, which has already taken him to Greece and Belgium. He held an unscheduled meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Germany on Tuesday and will also visit Turkey before returning to China.