Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Italian leaders on Thursday agreed to build a closer economic partnership between their countries in technological innovation and environmental protection.
Wen also reached consensus for cooperation on other issues at meetings with President Giorgio Napolitano and Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.
China and Italy agreed to expand cooperation in technological and industrial creation and work more closely at Sino-Italian industrial parks and research centers.
The two nations pledged to prioritize the development of renewable energies, electric automobiles, low-energy buildings, environmental protection technology education and capacity building, especially in China’s western provinces.
Bilateral environmental protection cooperation would include such areas as establishing for China a set of complete mechanisms of environmental risk assessment and emergency response and toxic and domestic waste disposal.
The countries also agreed to intensify exchanges and set up databases on technologies and experts, and promote cooperation among their nations’ smaller firms.
Wen arrived in Italy Wednesday, and he will also visit Turkey before returning to China.
