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China opposes smearing, undermining cooperation under BRI, after Italy exits: spokesperson

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Dec 07, 2023 08:27 PM

China firmly opposes smearing and undermining cooperation in jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and opposes camps confrontation, China's Foreign Ministry said on Thursday, in a response made after Italy informed the Chinese government of its decision to withdraw from the BRI.

The BRI has benefited more than 150 countries and regions over the past 10 years and has become a most popular international public good and largest platform for international cooperation, said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin at a routine press conference on Thursday.

In October this year, the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation was held in Beijing. A total of 151 countries, including Italy, and 41 international organizations sent representatives to the event, which produced 458 deliverables. The success of the forum sends out a clear message of seeking solidarity, collaboration, openness and win-win results and demonstrates the enormous appeal and global influence of Belt and Road cooperation, Wang said.

China firmly opposes attempts to smear and sabotage Belt and Road cooperation or stoke bloc confrontation and division, Wang said.

Reuters reported on Wednesday that Italy has officially informed China that it is quitting BRI. Italy in 2019 became the first major Western developed economy to join BRI.

In an exclusive interview with Global Times in October, Michele Geraci, former undersecretary of state at the Italian Ministry of Economic Development said that quitting the initiative will not bring positive benefit to the economy.

He said the relationship between Italian and Chinese companies will also likely be negatively impacted. The companies that suffer most are the Italian companies, because the BRI will continue to live and exist with the other countries, without Italy. It will be Italian companies that are not able to participate in BRI projects, he added.