China plans on pushing its all-round strategic partnership with Italy to a higher level. Chinese President, Hu Jintao, made the remark while meeting with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi on Monday in Rome.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (C Front) meets with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi (L Front) in Rome, capital of Italy, July 6, 2009. [Huang Jingwen/Xinhua]

President Hu says China wants to work with Italy to tackle problems that have arisen from the world financial crisis. Pei Jian has more.

Hu Jintao expressed his belief that the Sino-Italian relationship is an extremely valuable one.

As next year is to mark the 40th anniversary of the forging of bilateral diplomatic relations, Hu said that China is willing to join hands with Italy to lift bilateral ties to a higher level.

Hu Jintao said that the two countries should strengthen contacts and negotiations on major international and regional issues. He added that they should push forward mutually-beneficial cooperation in various fields.

The Chinese president raised three suggestions on the best way to step up cooperation.