Former Speaker of the Italian Chamber of Deputies, Irène Pivetti, Visits the ICC

At the invitation of the International Cooperation Center (ICC), Irène Pivetti, the former Speaker of the Italian Chamber of Deputies, visited the Jianguomen office area of the ICC on 9 June 2025. Ma Shengrong, the Chief Expert of the ICC, former Vice President and Executive Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Xinhua News Agency, and Zhang Yu, the Convener of the Joint Conference and the Director of the Steering committee of the ICC, met with Irène Pivetti and her delegation successively. Both sides believed that in the current context of global uncertainty and geopolitical changes, China-Italy and China-EU should further deepen their partnership, strengthen exchanges and cooperation, uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and jointly address common challenges. During the talks, the two sides exchanged in-depth views on China-Italy relations, China-EU relations, promoting high-level bilateral exchanges, and issues of common concern in international and regional affairs.

Shengrong (Left)  Irène Pivetti (Right)

Both sides pointed out that China and Italy are located at opposite ends of the ancient Silk Road. The long-standing friendly exchanges between the two countries have made significant contributions to the exchange and mutual learning of civilizations between the East and the West as well as the development and progress of human society. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the European Union. China and the EU should jointly summarize the successful development experiences so far, adhere to the dominant aspect of dialogue and cooperation, maintain the main tone of mutual benefit and win-win results, and continue to be strategic partners that respect each other, trust each other, and maintain long-term stability. The ICC would collaborate with the Italy-China Friendship Association (ICFA), led by former Speaker Irène Pivetti, as well as other European groups in Italy to reach the following consensus: to carry forward the spirit of the Silk Road, to develop bilateral relations from a historical perspective, strategic height, and a long-term viewpoint,  continuously to promote the stability and long-term development of China-Italy relations. Together, they will make important contributions to consolidating and developing the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and the EU, promoting the two major forces for multipolarity in the world, supporting the two major markets for globalization, and advocating the two major civilizations with diversity.

The then Speaker of the Italian Chamber of Deputies, Irène Pivetti

Both sides emphasized that the long-standing friendly exchanges between China and Italy have nourished the continuous cultural exchanges between the two countries. The ancient Silk Road opened the way for exchanges between the East and the West. Marco Polo opened the window for the Western world to understand China. Generations of envoys have successively written the chapters of friendship between the two countries, setting an example of equal dialogue and common development among different civilizations. Today, the world has entered a new period of turmoil and transformation. The ICC hopes to work together with former Speaker Irène Pivetti to strive for more insightful individuals to become practitioners of China-Italy friendly cooperation, promoters of mutual learning between Eastern and Western civilizations, and participants in building a community with a shared future for mankind. They aim to make significant contributions to promoting world peace and development. By grasping the global trends, deepening dialogue and cooperation, uniting the consensus of all parties, the stability, constructiveness, reciprocity, and global nature of China-Italy and China-EU relations will be further enhanced, injecting better expectations and positive energy into the world.

Irène Pivetti Attended the Meeting

The two sides also discussed other important matters. After being approved by the Standing Committee of the Joint Conference of the ICC, and submitted to the relevant national authorities for approval, it was decided to engage Irène Pivetti as the Senior Advisor for International Affairs of the International Cooperation Center. On that day, the ICC presented Irène Pivetti with a  Engagement Letter as the Senior Advisor for International Affairs at ICC’s Jianguomen office in Beijing. Irène Pivetti happily accepted the invitation. Zhu Hongshan, Economic Affairs Advisor of the ICC, Cheng Yu, Executive Secretary-General of the ICC, Zhang Bin, Deputy Director of Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and Overseas Chinese Working Committee at the ICC; Renzo Bossi, former Member of the Lombardy Parliament of Italy, Ma Li, Secretary-General of Italy-China Friendship Association (ICFA), Han Jiyang, Secretary-General of the Board of Fondazione Italia China, and Liu Wenliang, Director of the Beijing Preparatory Office of the ICFA attended the meeting.