Xi to visit Italy, Monaco, France

Beijing (China), Mar 19 (ANI): Chinese President Xi Jinping will embark on a three-nation (Italy, Monaco and France) tour from March 21 to 26, announced China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Li Kang.
According to Xinhua, Xi was invited by Italian President Sergio Mattarella, French President Emmanuel Macron and Head of State of the Principality of Monaco Albert II.
This will be Xi's maiden visit to Italy. During his visit, he will hold talks with President Mattarella and Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte.
The Chinese premier will also meet Italian Senate Speaker Maria Elisabetta Alberti Casellati and Lower House Speaker Roberto Fico to further strengthen the Sino-Italian relation.
Notably, Beijing and Rome have just completed 15 years of strategic partnership.
Xi will hold talks with Prince Albert II during his visit to Monaco and exchange views with him on issues of common concern such as the development of China-Monaco relations. During his visit to France,
The Chinese leader Xi is expected to hold talks with President Macron, meet with French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe and the speakers of the Senate and the National Assembly.
Xi will hold talks with Prince Albert II during his visit to Monaco and exchange views with him on issues of common concern such as the development of China-Monaco relations in the new era.
During his visit to France, Xi will hold talks with President Macron, meet with French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe and the speakers of the Senate and the National Assembly,
The Chinese president's visit will further consolidate political mutual trust between the two countries, Kang said adding, "The visit will further consolidate political mutual trust between China and Italy, deepen practical cooperation in various areas under the framework of the Belt and Road, boost people-to-people and cultural exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations, promote new progress of the Sino-Italian comprehensive strategic partnership in the new era and make contributions to Sino-EU relations as well as world peace and development."
South China Morning Post on March 3 had reported that Xi is expected to visit the United States, France and Italy later this month to ease tensions over trade and technology security, reported the South China Morning Post. However, now instead of US, he will be visiting Monaco.
The US had also urged Italy not to "lend legitimacy" to China's "infrastructure vanity project" while referring to the One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative. (ANI)