Views of Guangzhou, China, and the architectural landscape of Venice, Italy. Photos: VCG

This year marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Italy. When we speak of 55 years of diplomatic relations, we should remember that cultural exchanges between China and Italy began much earlier. In AD 166, envoys of Emperor Marcus Aurelius reached the Han court, initiating a dialogue between two civilizations that had long seen each other as peers rather than strangers. This historical awareness makes cooperation feel natural and deeply rooted.

In the contemporary phase, this relationship has taken shape through structured pragmatism. Over the 55 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, China and Italy have built a relationship that has steadily deepened and diversified. Two factors have been decisive. First, a deep cultural familiarity: Italy understands the value of China's long continuity, and China recognizes Italy's civilizational heritage, and its artistic and intellectual depth. Second, a clear economic complementarity: Italy remains one of Europe's leading manufacturing powers, and this industrial strength aligns well with China's capacity for scale and technological development. 

Despite these deep-rooted complementarities, recent policy shifts have tested the resilience of this partnership. Some observers believe that Italy's withdrawal from the Belt and Road Initiative two years ago started a period of adjustment in bilateral relations. But I consider the decision a serious mistake. It was not only unnecessary but also damaging to the image of Italy as a reliable and autonomous partner. This choice was driven more by external pressure than by national interest. This choice has deeply disappointed many who worked for years to build mutual trust. For those of us who promoted dialogue with China long before it became fashionable, this step felt like watching a bridge we helped to build being voluntarily dismantled.

The greatest potential in the China-Italy relationship lies in rediscovering the depth of their civilizational dialogue. Cultural cooperation should go beyond small-scale exchanges and revive a tradition of long-term intellectual collaboration. The two nations are not only economic actors, but cultural builders, heirs to ancient traditions of thought and creativity. Reviving this dimension would give the bilateral relationship a depth that pure commerce can never achieve.

On the industrial side, cooperation must be reimagined. The European, and especially Italian, automotive ecosystem is undergoing transformation, while Chinese manufacturers lead the electric vehicle (EV) revolution. Creating joint industrial parks or co-managed production hubs in Italy could open up an opportunity: Italy could reestablish a strong position in the EV sector, and Chinese companies would gain access to a world-class supply chain, design expertise and workforce.

Beyond cars, the same logic applies to machinery and advanced manufacturing. What China and Italy can create together is a partnership where conception and creation coexist on both sides. Products developed and produced in China with Italian ingenuity for Asian markets, and products developed and produced in Italy with Chinese technology for European markets. Two nations completing each other's value chains - this is the kind of cooperation that belongs to the future.

Given the current complexities in China-EU relations, the real challenge is to steer Europe toward a more balanced approach to China - one that protects strategic interests without turning economic policy into ideology. This requires active diplomacy, not passive alignment. Italy should strive to play a leading role in countering the isolationist and decoupling tendencies that often emerge in European debates, especially under external influence. A credible European strategy toward China must reflect economic realism, not political signaling.

Practically, Rome should align with Spain, Portugal, Greece and at least one large industrial partner, often Germany, among others, to steer EU measures from punitive symbolism toward workable reciprocity. Three moves stand out: First, insist on "non-security" fast tracks for investment and research. Second, launch EU-China technical tables on standards so Europe co-shapes technologies instead of simply adapting to them. Third, in EVs, pursue a negotiated framework with predictable tariffs tied to fair pricing and local value-added, enabling cheaper EVs for consumers while preserving Europe's industrial base. 

The author is the president of the New Silk Road Promotion Association of Italy. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn