China's top legislator Wu Bangguo said in Milan on Tuesday that China and Italy should explore new areas of cooperation as they face major opportunities in addressing the grim challenges of the international financial crisis.

Wu Bangguo (L), chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, the country's top legislature, meets with Roberto Formiconi, president of Lombard Region of Italy, in Milan May 19, 2009. [Li Tao/Xinhua]

Wu is the first chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) who has visited Italy since 1997. He arrived in Milan on Monday evening for an official goodwill visit. Wu met with Roberto Formiconi, president of Lombard Region of Italy on Tuesday.

During the meeting, Wu said as one of the most economically vigorous regions in Italy, the Lombard Region is leading the country in carrying out cooperation with China.

Wu said the international financial crisis has posed grim challenges to world economy. But at the same time, it has brought about major opportunities for expanding cooperation between China and Italy.

Wu expressed the hope that the two sides could explore new areas of cooperation in face of the challenges and step up cooperation in such fields as scientific research, clean energy and environment protection.

Formiconi said the local government and people of the Lombard Region cherish friendly feelings toward the Chinese people. He expressed appreciation of China's active response to the financial crisis, saying that China's development is encouraging and provides fresh air to the world.

Formiconi said the Lombard Region is ready to strengthen cooperation with China in such fields as economy, technology, energy efficiency, environment protection, education and tourism. He welcomes more and more Chinese companies to invest in the region.

On the 2010 Shanghai World Expo, Wu said the event is a new bright spot in China-Italy cooperation. Noting that the Shanghai World Expo is yet another global event in China after the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, Wu said the Chinese government and the local government of Shanghai have received assistance from Italy and other members of the international community in preparing for the event.

Wu expressed the belief that the Shanghai World Expo will leave a wonderful record on the history of the event.

Milan has won the bid to host the 2015 World Expo. It has signed a memorandum of cooperation with Shanghai on staging the World Expo.

Wu hopes that the two sides could utilize this platform to expand exchanges and cooperation so as to add new vigor to China-Italy relations.

Formiconi expressed the willingness to actively participate in the Shanghai World Expo, which he regards as an important area of cooperation between the two sides. He hopes to learn the experience of Shanghai in hosting the World Expo.

(Xinhua News Agency May 20, 2009)