Last March, the Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti went to China, to develop new ways of bilateral and multilateral cooperation with the country. In his speeches Monti praised China's economic development in recent decades and acknowledged that China is the engine of the economy, emerging as a valuable resource for coping with the crisis.The Premier also highlighted the reforms undertaken by his Government, with the intention to make the country ‘business friendly’ for Chinese investors, who would have a strategic role for the recovery of the Italian economy. About one month later, the Deputy Minister of Economy, Vittorio Umberto Grilli is again in China to meet the financial community and solicit investments in Italy. It is a “flash-mission” by which, in particular, Grilli would attract the attention of Chinese investors on the Italian bonds, after the new increase in the spread over German bunds .

He should also meet representatives of the Chinese sovereign fund China Investment Corporation (CIC), established in 2007 with the objective to manage part of the national currency reserves. The opportunity to invest in Italy seem to attract the Chinese Government, that in the person of Prime Minister Wen Jabao had already commented favorably about the country. "I am convinced that Italy will be able to face the international scene and create new economic growth through reforms", was the hope expressed by the Chinese Premier, underlining that "the economy of Italy, an exporting country with a large manufacturing , is coupled with a solid foundation and great potential”. The financial resources of China could, therefore, play an important role in improving the economic situation of Italy, a country which has always asserted its role as intermediary in the relations of the Dragon with the European Union.

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