Italian companies will contribute actively to China's economic progress, and achieve win-win results with Chinese counterparts in economic and trade cooperation, said visiting Prime Minister Romano Prodi in Nanjing Thursday.

 

Prodi, who arrived here Wednesday on a six-day official visit to China at the invitation of Premier Wen Jiabao, made the remarks when addressing an Italy-Jiangsu province economy and trade forum.

 

Prodi gave high praise to China's achievements in political and economic development, saying that China has achieved "unbelievable" economic progress, and achieved an enormous amount both economically and politically.

 

"Given China's remarkable achievements, I came here only four months after taking office as Italian Prime Minister," Prodi said, adding that his China tour aimed to lift all-round Italy-China economic ties to a new level.

 

Prodi said Italian companies had a unique opportunity to grasp the possibilities presented by China's rapid development and explore the Chinese market.

 

Prodi said Italy was open to Chinese consumer goods companies and investment companies.

 

Prodi expressed great confidence in successful cooperation between Italy and China.

 

Citing the big investments made by Italian auto giant Fiat in the east China province, Prodi told Jiangsu governor Liang Baohua on Wednesday evening that Jiangsu could be regarded as the cradle of economic cooperation between Italy and China.

 

"Italy and Jiangsu should increase their economic links," Prodi said.

 

Liang said in recent years Jiangsu and Italy had cooperated successfully in economy and trade, and he hoped that more Italian companies would invest in Jiangsu.

 

Prodi is scheduled to leave here Thursday for Guangzhou, capital of South China's Guangdong Province.

 

(Xinhua News Agency September 15, 2006)