Meloni described the visit as “a demonstration of our willingness to resume bilateral cooperation and begin a new stage.”
She said the two countries also signed agreements aimed at strengthening cooperation on electric vehicles and renewable energy.
In a statement issued by his office, Premier Li Keqiang said the two countries aim to strengthen “mutually beneficial cooperation between small and medium-sized enterprises in the fields of shipbuilding, aerospace, new energy and artificial intelligence.”
Italy was the only major Western country to sign up to the Belt and Road Initiative, one of China’s most ambitious trade and infrastructure plans.
The move was heavily criticised at the time by the United States and other major Western countries.
Since taking office in 2022, Meloni has sought to lead a more pro-Western, pro-NATO foreign policy than his predecessor.
Before withdrawing from the BRI, Meloni called the previous administration’s decision to join it a “serious error.”
Under her leadership, Italy has moved to block a Chinese state-owned enterprise from taking control of tire giant Pirelli.
Rome also supports the European Commission’s recent move to impose tariffs of up to 37.6% on electric vehicles imported from China.
Two-way trade between the two countries reached 66.8 billion euros (56.3 billion pounds) last year, making China Italy’s largest non-EU trading partner after the United States.
