China’s Xi visits Italy with belt and road deal as prize

© Vladimir Nikulin

Could Italy mark the turning point in China’s belt and road policy? This week saw Xi Jingping in Rome to begin talks with his opposite number in Italy, Giuseppe Conte. Expectations are that tomorrow will see the two leaders sign a memorandum of understanding, which AP News suggests could see the European nation become the first “major democracy” to join the belt and road initiative. The MoU comes amid mounting concerns across western governments over China’s growing clout. But Mr Conte believes it could also mark Italy’s role in the world, with the Italian premier suggesting his country’s government could play its part in helping to reduce trade tensions between China and the other global super power, the US.