Massimiliano Tremiterra, director of the Italian Trade Agency office in Shanghai, called for the strengthening of the China-Italy trade relationship under the Belt and Road Initiative in an interview with Xinhua.

"I am convinced that we can take the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries as a starting point to accelerate the trade relationship under the initiative," Tremiterra said.

According to the trade office, the significant expansion of Italian exports to China started 30 years ago. China was Italy's 18th largest export partner in 1991, while in 2019, China was its ninth largest export country.

Engineering machinery, chemical products, textile goods and clothing are among Italy's main exports to China.

According to Tremiterra, Italian companies have enough room for development and ample opportunities in China, while Chinese companies can also see Italy as an ideal investment destination.

In the face of the COVID-19 outbreak, Tremiterra said the shock of the pandemic has made bilateral cooperation even more important. "China has emerged as the first major economy to resume economic and social activities fully. It is time to start a new cycle of trade relations between our two countries."