Chinese President Hu Jintao met his Italian counterpart Giorgio Napolitano in Rome Monday for talks on the development of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Italy.

The two leaders are also expected to exchange views on international and regional issues of common concern, Chinese diplomats said.

The Chinese president is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and other Italian leaders later in the day to discuss the development of bilateral cooperation.

In recent years, the development of China-Italy ties have maintained momentum with frequent exchanges of high-level visits, close coordination in dealing with world affairs, expansion of people-to-people exchanges and cultural cooperation.

China is now Italy's important trading partner with two-way trade totaling 38.2 billion US dollars in 2008 despite the slowdown of the global economy.

The two countries have also expanded cooperation in economy, culture, science and environmental protection in recent years.

Hu arrived here Sunday for a state visit and will also attend an outreach session of the Group of Eight (G8) summit in the central city of L'aquila. After the meeting, he will visit Portugal.

Source:Xinhua