President hails Italy's role in China-EU ties

Mediterranean country is a trusted friend and partner, Xi tells PM Renzi

China hopes Italy will play a positive role in contributing to a long-term, steady and sound development of China-Europe ties, President Xi Jinping said on Wednesday in Italy.

Xi emphasized that the European Union is a vital pole in the world while meeting with Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi in Sardinia, where Xi's plane stopped overnight on his way to Latin America.