When in Rome, let the Romans decide

China was the starting point of the ancient Silk Road, and Italy was the destination. Now Italy is also the intersection of the land and sea route of the modern Silk Road. Will the destination shine in the new era? The answer is yes, most likely.

Financial Times reported that Italy plans to join China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) by the end of the month, as the undersecretary in the Italian economic development ministry, Michele Geraci, stated that "The negotiation is not over yet, but it is possible that it will be concluded in time for Xi's visit."

Giorgio Armani garments in the 2019 Autumn and Winter Milan Fashion Week /VCG Photo

With Italy inclinedto support theBRI, the U.S. side soon expressed their discontent, warning that the project could significantly harm Italy's international image.

Regarding Italy's concern, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi stressed on Friday that China welcomes Italy and other European countries to join the BRI, and believes that Italy as an independent country will stick to the decision independently made.

Calls from Italy

Earlier in August 2018, the Italian government set up a “China Task Force,” a team aiming to boost trade and investment relations with China. Luigi Di Maio, Italy's deputy prime minister, told CGTN that the objective of this team is to realize the BRI.

He also reiterated his strong will to strengthen cooperation with China under the BRI when attending the 17th Western China International Fair, in which Italy was the guest country of honor, in September 2018.

Italian enterprises also showed their enthusiasm for furthering trade cooperation between the two countries. More than 200 Italian companies registered at the first China International Import Expo (CIIE). Under the theme of “Essence and Excellence of Made in Italy,” the country's booth area was nearly 5,300 square meters, the second largest among European participants.

With the firm stand of the Italian government and the calls from the Italian people, it is clear that further cooperation with China is a decision illustrating the country's need and the people's will.

Made in China, not only made for China

A White House spokesperson accused the BRI of being a “made by China, for China” initiative. His statement is groundless as the fruits of the BRI are and will be shared by both China and the countries involved.

Take Italy as an example, according to Luo Hongbo, a senior researcher at the Institute of European Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, if Italy joins the BRI in the near future, it would be a win-win choice for both countries.

Currently, Italy's economy is fragile and stagnating. Though Italy has the fourth-largest share of the EU's gross domestic product (GDP), its GDP per capita is below the EU average. It has an immense debt pile representing 130 percent of GDP and totals 2.3 trillion euros (2.6 trillion U.S. dollars), the highest in the EU after Greece.

A Ferrari is displayed at the China International Import Expo /VCG Photo

Trading with China under the BRI could be a solution. The two countries have a lot to offer each other economically and their development strategies complement in many ways.

Luo stated that the export of processed products is the lifeline of the Italian economy and China is a huge market. According to China's Foreign Ministry, the bilateral trade between China and Italy is over 49.5 billion U.S. dollars in 2018, a year-on-year increase of 10.6 percent. China's new direct investment to Italy has reached over 900 million U.S. dollars.

Meanwhile, China could learn from Italy as it has many high technologies, for example, in machinery and the clothing industry, according to Luo.

Luo also indicated that further potential lies in the cooperation between China and Italy under the framework of the BRI, for example, the third-party markets. China and Italy could jointly explore the third-party markets, such as North Africa.

Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentilioni and his wife Emanuela Maoro arrive at the dinner during the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing, China, May 14, 2017. /VCG Photo

As Geraci said earlier, this would be "win-win" for all parties involved: African countries need to develop infrastructure, transportation, technology and trade, while Italy and China have world-leading companies in these fields, and can work together to help Africa develop. At the same time, Chinese and Italian companies can also get investment opportunities in Africa.

In a nutshell, strengthening cooperation with China is a choice made by Italy regarding its national interest. Luo commented that the U.S. alone cannot judge whether it would be a move hurting Italy's international image or not. We always say "When in Rome, do as the Romans do." Now, it is Rome again, why not let the Romans decide themselves?

(CGTN)