November 16, 2022 15:16 GMT
Italian PM Meloni Accepts President Xi's Invite To Visit China-RTRS
CHINA-EU
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Reuters reporting that according to an Italian gov't statement Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has accepted an offer from Chinese President Xi Jinping for her to visit China. Comes after a meeting between the two at the G20 summit in Bali, Indonesia.
- Statement says that during the meeting Meloni told Xi that Italy wants to increase its level of exports to China. Also stated that Meloni agreed with Xi that 'diplomatic initiatives are required to end the Ukraine war and prevent further escalation'.
- Meloni set to become the third major European leader to visit China in a relatively short period of time. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited Beijing earlier in November. French President Emmanuel Macron said in a presser at the G20 that he intends to visit China in 'early 2023'.
- The invite to Meloni comes as China hawks in the west, notably the US, tread a narrow path in relations w/Beijing. Many European states see China as an important potential mediator in getting Russia to step back in war on Ukraine. However, Washington, D.C., still sees China as a major strategic competitor. Will be concern in Biden administration at senior EU leaders heading to Beijing one after another.
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