Ministry opposes moves smearing BRI cooperation

The Foreign Ministry expressed opposition on Thursday to attempts to smear and damage Belt and Road cooperation, after the Italian government officially informed China about its withdrawal from the Belt and Road Initiative.

In 2019, Italy became the only Group of Seven member to sign a memorandum of understanding on bilateral cooperation within the framework of the BRI with China, a move which was reportedly heavily criticized by the United States.

While notifying China that it would withdraw from the initiative ahead of a deadline at the year's end, the Italian government emphasized that it was seeking to maintain good relations with China.