Italian President Visit to China
Italian President Sergio Mattarella undertook a six-day state visit to China in November 2024, during which he held meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Chinese Premier Li Qiang, and the representatives of the Italian community.
This was Mattarella's third meeting with President Xi, following previous encounters in 2017 and 2019, and it occurred less than four months after Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni visited the country, highlighting the importance both countries place on bilateral relations. The visit was also significant as it marked the 20th anniversary of the China-Italy comprehensive strategic partnership, and the 700th anniversary of Marco Polo’s passing.
During the visit, both leaders acknowledged the deep historical and cultural ties between their nations and jointly witnessed the signing of multiple bilateral cooperation documents in such fields such as culture, science and technology, education, and twinning of world heritage sites.
Follows the agenda of the Italian president's visit:
Friday, November 8 - Beijing
Visit to the exhibition "A Journey of Knowledge: The Travels of Marco Polo and His Legacy Between East and West" at the World Art Museum in Beijing.
Meeting at the Great Hall of the People with Xi Jinping and their respective delegations.
Following the discussions, the two Presidents will participate in the presentation of the outcomes of the Italy-China Cultural Forum and the signing of agreements between the two countries, prior to the state luncheon that will conclude the day.
Saturday, November 9 - Beijing
Meeting with Prime Minister Li Qiang and the Chairman of the National People's Congress, Zhao Leji.
Subsequently, President Mattarella will lay a wreath at the Monument to the People's Heroes in Tiananmen Square and meet the Italian community.
In the afternoon, he will deliver a Lectio Magistralis at Peking University.
Visit to the Secretariat of the Italy-China Philanthropy Forum, including the signing ceremony for the inauguration of the "Italian Studies" Chair at Peking University.
Sunday, November 10 - Hangzhou
Inauguration at the China Academy of Art of the Venice Biennale Exhibition "The Perfect Path – Hangzhou, Marco Polo's City of Heaven," and a performance at the Zhejiang Conservatory of Music of an excerpt from the opera "Marco Polo" by the Benedetto Marcello Conservatory of Venice.
Monday, November 11 - Hangzhou
The Head of State will pay tribute at the Cemetery of Catholic Missionaries to the Tomb of Jesuit Prospero Intorcetta.
After a meeting with the Provincial Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party, the President of the Republic will depart for Guangzhou.
Tuesday, November 12 - Guangzhou
Meeting with representatives of the Italian business community in China, followed by a meeting with the Provincial Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party, Huang Kunming, before returning to Rome.