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CHINA-ITALY-FRANCE-MONACO-DIPLOMACY
China’s Xi to visit Italy, France as Rome joins ‘New Silk Road’
BEIJING, March 18, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Chinese President Xi Jinping will
travel to Italy, Monaco and France this week, the foreign ministry said
Monday, with Rome expected to join his global trade infrastructure programme
despite reservations in other European countries.
Xi will pay state visits from March 21 to March 26, foreign ministry
spokesman Lu Kang said in a statement, without providing more details about
his itinerary.
An Italian official said last week that Rome would sign a non-binding
memorandum of understanding with Beijing to officially support Xi’s massive
$1 trillion Belt and Road initiative, also known as the New Silk Road.
Beijing has financed infrastructure, maritime, rail and road projects in
Asia, Africa and Europe, but critics warn that it mainly benefits Chinese
firms while setting up a “debt trap” in more financially vulnerable
countries.
Following Italy’s announcement, French President Emmanuel Macron said last
week that European Union countries should have a “coordinated approach”
regarding China.
“It’s a good thing that China is participating in the development of many
countries, but I believe in the spirit of equality, reciprocity. The spirit
of equality means respecting the sovereignty of nations,” Macron said.
BSS/AFP/MSY/0932 hrs