Italy has finalised its commitment to China's Belt and Road global investment initiative with the signing of a memorandum of intent. Italian President Xi Jinping and Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister Luigi Di Maio agreed 29 deals at their Rome meeting. In addition to energy, finance and agricultural deals, the agreements grant China's Communications and Construction Company access to the Chinese port of Trieste, and formalises China’s role in developing the port of Genoa. The move has caused consternation among Italy's allies in the EU and the US, who are wary of China’s growing global influence.
Italy has finalised its commitment to China's Belt and Road global investment initiative with the signing of a memorandum of intent. Chinese President Xi Jinping and Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister Luigi Di Maio agreed 29 deals at their Rome meeting. In addition to energy, finance and agricultural deals, the agreements grant China's Communications and Construction Company access to the Italian port of Trieste, and formalises China’s role in developing the port of Genoa. The move has caused consternation among Italy's allies in the EU and the US, who are wary of China’s growing global influence.