Italy and China in plan for new Silk Road-style trade network
(The Guardian China)

Xi Jinping visits Rome as Italy becomes first G7 country to back Belt and Road initiativeItaly has become the first G7 country to endorse a contentious plan by China to build a Silk Road-style global trade network, irking its EU and US allies.The prime minister, Giuseppe Conte, and the Chinese president, Xi Jinping, have signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MoU) that could lead to Italy´s participation in China´s Belt and Road initiative (BRI), an ambitious project that envisages Chinese investment in a network of infrastructure projects connecting Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Europe. Related: Italy pulls out red carpet for Xi Jinping in trade charm offensive Continue reading...