Senior CPC official meets former Italian PM

BEIJING, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- A senior Communist Party of China (CPC) official Friday met with Romano Prodi, former Italian prime minister, pledging to strengthen bilateral ties.

Li Yuanchao, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, met with Prodi, also the special envoy of the UN secretary general to Africa's Sahel region and former EU Commission president.

Li commended China-Italy relations, as well as the ties between China and the European Union, saying that as both sides are in new phases of economic and social development, China and Italy enjoy great cooperation potential and strengthening bilateral ties is in both countries' interests.

He pointed out that the two sides should further deepen cooperation in all fields under the principles of mutual respect and mutual benefits.

China values the EU's status and function, and it supports the construction of European integration, he said, adding that China believes the EU will restore growth and vitality with its wisdom and abilities.

Prodi spoke highly of the great development achievements made by the Chinese people under the leadership of the CPC, adding that Italy will continue to further promote the two countries' relationship as well as EU-China ties.

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