patrick.net

During Xi's two-day official state visit, Italy is expected to become the first major democracy to sign a memorandum of understanding to join China's “Belt and Road” initiative. The program aims to invest in ports, roads, airports and railways in Asia, Africa and Europe to create a conduit for trade and China's construction industry. Both the United States and Italy's European partners, however, see it as a threat as China seeks to project its power.

Italy's President Mattarella told a joint press conference with Xi after their meeting that the infrastructure initiative is “the ideal framework for increasing joint collaboration,” to stimulate Chinese investments in Italy and open the Chinese market to Italian exports. But he also addressed concerns that China's state apparatus would be the real winner.

While Xi was getting the red-carpet honors in Rome, the European Union said Friday it was preparing its own strategy to counter growing Chinese influence, described as a “systemic rival.”

Sisci noted Italy's contrasting interests, between its ties to Western allies within the European Union and NATO, and its ambition to become a bridge linking Asia and Africa with Europe, while recouping investments for much-needed infrastructure projects and expanding its footprint in the huge Chinese market.

SOURCE: https://www.breitbart.com/news/italy-china-deepen-ties-under-wary-gaze-of-us-eu/