As part of the celebrations for the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Italy, on June 20, a conference was held at the Auditorium of the Ara Pacis Museum in Rome, organized by the Fondazione di Studi Internazionali e Geopolitica, chaired by Prof. Giancarlo Elia Valori, and by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Italy, entitled “Sino-Italian Relations and the International Order in Perspective of the 80th Anniversary of the Founding of the United Nations.”
The conference was moderated and chaired by Prof. Oliviero Diliberto, Dean of the Faculty of Law at La Sapienza University in Rome. Speeches were given by the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Italy, Jia Guide; Prof. Giancarlo Elia Valori, President of the Foundation for International and Geopolitical Studies; Ambassador Umberto Vattani, President of Venice International University, former Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Prof. Pino Arlacchi, professor of sociology, former Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations, member of parliament, senator, and member of the European Parliament. Former Prime Minister Massimo D’Alema, and Dr. Marco Tronchetti Provera, CEO of Pirelli, also spoke at the event.
The Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Italy, Jia Guide, highlighted in his inaugural speech the importance of developing bilateral relations, the role of the United Nations, and the need to relaunch authentic and inclusive multilateralism in a world undergoing profound geopolitical transformations.
Jia Guide, emphasized that China and Italy have maintained trust and close cooperation for 55 years, with mutual benefits despite their different social and cultural systems.
Strategic mutual trust between leaders has grown steadily, with numerous high-level visits by Italian officials to China, and various cooperation mechanisms have been established, including the Italian-Chinese Government Committee and the Joint Committee for Economic Cooperation.
There has been a significant increase in annual trade between China and Italy, from $120 million to $72.54 billion, making China Italy’s largest Asian trading partner.
Similarly, cultural ties have been strengthened with nearly 90 weekly flights, an increase in Chinese tourists to Italy, and a large number of Chinese students studying in Italy.
Italy has contributed significantly to relations between China and the EU over the past 50 years, said Jia Guide, who also highlighted collaborative efforts at the multilateral level.
Ambassador Jia Guide also pointed out that the year 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of both the founding of the United Nations and the victory in the Chinese people’s resistance war against Japanese aggression and in the world war against fascism.
The Chinese people played a crucial role in the war against fascism, serving as the main theater of battle in the East against Japanese militarism. The determination and sacrifices of the Chinese army and civilians were crucial in defeating the Japanese aggression.
The struggle of the Italian people in Europe also contributed significantly to the fight for justice during this period.
The establishment of the United Nations was a response to the lessons learned from the world wars, with the aim of ensuring lasting peace and prosperity among nations.
Over the past 80 years, the UN has promoted unity, cooperation, and progress, maintaining international order and world peace.
In light of current geopolitical tensions and crises, it is necessary to reaffirm the original goals of the UN and promote genuine multilateralism.
China and Italy are encouraged to work together to ensure peace and security, promote mutual respect for sovereignty, and support the peaceful resolution of international disputes.
Ambassador Jia Guide emphasized that Taiwan’s return to China is an important element of the victory in World War II and the post-war international order. The respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries should support the complete reunification of China, and oppose any form of “Taiwan independence.”
He also said that global development imbalances are worsening, the challenges posed by climate change are intensifying, and the sustainable development agenda is falling behind.
So, it is necessary to sustain economic globalization, oppose unilateralism and protectionism, and maintain a multilateral trading system centered on the World Trade Organization.
It is also essential to promote inclusive development by facilitating the normal flow of ideas, technologies, and people to achieve common prosperity.
Global green transformation is key to addressing climate change and protecting biodiversity, underscoring the need for collective action to safeguard humanity’s common home.
China and Italy should cooperate as examples of mutual learning between Eastern and Western civilizations.
The importance of interaction and dialogue between civilizations has been emphasized in the context of global changes, highlighted by the United Nations’ celebration of the first “International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations.”
Both nations should promote respect for independent development paths and social systems, encouraging equal dialogue and mutual learning, rejecting conflicts and external interference.
Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed initiatives addressing global development, security, and civilization to tackle global challenges and promote a better world.
China, concluded Ambassador Jia Guide, is committed to working with Italy to strengthen cooperation, develop a more equitable global governance system, and contribute to peace, stability, and prosperity in the world.
In his speech, Prof. Giancarlo Elia Valori expressed his pride in collaborating with the Chinese Embassy in organizing a conference aimed at highlighting relations between Italy and China and promoting a new multilateral world order.
He paid tribute to his mother, Emilia Valori, who was awarded the Gold Medal for Civil Merit, a source of inspiration for her courage in saving Jews persecuted in Meolo, Veneto. Prof. Valori also highlighted his father’s financial support for the anti-fascist cause and his brother’s participation as a partisan, emphasizing the influence of family values on his beliefs and actions aimed at supporting equality and freedom, with a strong sense of belonging to the state and a commitment to international cooperation, particularly between Europe and China.
Prof. Valori criticized the post-World War II world order, arguing that it is in crisis due to its dependence on the petrodollar and the efforts of Western nations to hinder cooperation in Asia, particularly in developing countries.
He referred to Chinese President Xi Jinping’s calls for improved global relations, respect for cultural diversity, and initiatives to promote common values and international cooperation.
Prof. Valori emphasized the concept of a shared future for humanity as a central element of contemporary Chinese diplomatic theory, promoting collective interests and sustainable development.
Prof. Valori made it clear that the Global South is not opposed to the West, but is a partner in economic development, with China positioning itself as a leader.
Valori recalled a recent UN resolution, proposed by China and supported by over 80 countries, establishing June 1st as the International Day of Dialogue among Civilizations, highlighting the importance of dialogue in promoting peace and understanding globally.
In his closing remarks at the conference, Massimo D’Alema, former Italian Prime Minister, emphasizes his long-standing relationship with China, recalling his youthful experiences during important political visits. He highlights the historical transformations that have led China to establish itself as a major economic power.
President D’Alema underlined the dramatic change that the Western world is undergoing, predicting also a reduction in its demographic influence by the end of the century, when it could represent only 10% of humanity. D’Alema then called on the West to engage positively with the changing world, incorporating its cultural values rather than opposing change by force, contrasting the stance of a stagnant and resentful West with that of a proactive West open to dialogue. D’Alema also emphasizes the complexity of Chinese socialism, stressing the need to balance dialectical conflict with the pursuit of harmony in global interactions.