Various cooperation documents to be signed during Xi's trip to Europe

Chinese authorities have unveiled that various cooperation documents will be signed during President Xi Jinping's upcoming visit to Europe.

President Xi Jinping will pay state visits to Italy, Monaco, and France from March 21st to 26th, the first overseas trip by the Chinese leader this year.

During his time in Italy, President Xi will meet with the country's leaders, including President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte.

They're expected to have in-depth discussions on issues including the bilateral ties between China and Italy, and the relationship between China and the European Union.

Vice Foreign Minister Wang Chao said the visit will further consolidate and deepen mutual trust and cooperation between China and Italy.

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wang Chao speaks at a press conference held one day ahead of President Xi Jinping's state visits to Italy, Monaco and France, on March 20th, 2019. [Photo: fmprc.gov.cn]

"During the visit, the two sides will sign inter-governmental cooperation documents on diplomacy, the economy, trade, and culture, as well as commercial agreements on infrastructure, machinery, and finance. There will also be cooperation documents on the protection of cultural relics, where the two sides will demonstrate their common stance on strengthening exchanges and cooperation regarding World Heritage sites, and on combating the looting, theft, and smuggling of cultural relics globally. The two sides will also strengthen their cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, and bring greater benefits to the people of the two countries," said Wang.

Also on the schedule for the visit are the sixth meeting of the Chinese-Italian committee of entrepreneurs, the first third-market cooperation forum, and the second meeting on cultural cooperation.

This year marks the 15th anniversary of the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Italy, while next year marks the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic ties.

After Italy, President Xi will head to Monaco, where he will hold wide-ranging talks with Prince Albert II.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry holds a press conference one day ahead of President Xi Jinping's state visits to Italy, Monaco and France, on March 20th, 2019. [Photo: fmprc.gov.cn]

Wang Chao said the visit is of historic significance to the development of ties between the two countries.

"I believe the visit by President Xi to Monaco will inject a new strong impetus into the traditional friendship and our exchanges and cooperation across the board, and bring our bilateral relations to a higher level," said Wang.

And during the third-leg of his three-state visit, President Xi will meet with French leaders including President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Edouard Philippe.

Vice Minister Wang Chao expects that the visit will see cooperation agreements signed that cover a variety of fields.

"The two leaders will have in-depth exchanges on relations between China and France, and between China and Europe, and on international and regional issues of common concern. They will witness the signing of cooperation documents on energy, transportation, agriculture, finance, culture, science, and technology," said Wang.

Commemorations will also be held to mark the occasion of the 55th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and France.