China, Italy to sign 8 economic, cultural agreements

Jul. 6, 2009 (China Knowledge) - China and Italy will sign eight agreements during Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit to the country, a senior Chinese official said in Rome on Sunday.

The agreements will range from economic cooperation, trade and investment, education, environmental protection, to tourism and cultural exchange, though some details are still under negotiation, said Assistant Foreign Minister Wu Hongbo, who is accompanying Hu on the visit. 

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and his Italian counterpart Franco Frattini will sign a joint declaration on hosting a Chinese Culture Year in Italy to enhance mutual understanding and facilitate the development of a partnership between the two countries, said Wu.

China will also send a trade delegation to boost bilateral trade. The trade and economic cooperation between China and Italy has grown rapidly. Italy is now China's fifth trade and investment partner. Last year, the Sino-Italy bilateral trade volume rose 21.9% to US$38.3 billion. Leaders of the two countries last year set up a bilateral trade goal of US$40 billion in 2010.