In recent years, Italy and China have maintained a strong economic relationship despite Italy’s shift away from the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s visit to Beijing highlighted Italy’s intention to continue fostering cooperation, with a focus on high-value sectors and enhancing trade.
After a 5-year trial, Italy has decided to withdraw from the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative and is seeking to further develop the bilateral relationship outside of this framework
Italy’s officially joining the China-led Belt and Road Initiative sparked a fierce debate. By analysing five fields of cooperation, the volume sheds light on whether the bilateral agreement has brought about an intensification of bilateral collaboration as wished by the Italian government as the time and whether the concerns around it have materialized.
