Xi’s Embrace of Meloni Shows China Has Use for Friends in Europe
- Italian prime minister inked a series of deals in Beijing
- But she gave Xi a chance to play on strains between EU states
Giorgia Meloni with Xi Jinping in Beijing on July 29.
Photographer: Ding Haitao/Xinhua/Getty Images
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President Xi Jinping’s warm welcome for the Italian prime minister offers a pointed reminder to European leaders of the economic benefits of engaging with China — and also of the potential risks.
Italian diplomats hailed Giorgia Meloni’s five-day trip as a success after she secured a sit-down with Xi and a clutch of cooperation deals, as well as glowing reviews in Chinese state media. To pull that off, she avoided criticizing her host for supporting Russia’s war machine or overcapacity in key tech industries, according to public statements, though did warn trade ties between Italy and China must be rebalanced.