On December 6, 2023, Italy** announced its official withdrawal from the Belt and Road Initiative, a decision that has attracted widespread attention and heated discussions on the international stage. As the only G7 country to sign the initiative in 2019, Italy's exit means a challenge to China's ambitious** and infrastructure projects. Behind this decision is Italy's concern that the initiative is not delivering the expected economic benefits, as well as concerns about a widening deficit with China.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's leadership has stressed that they believe the Belt and Road Initiative has not contributed to the prosperity of Italian-Chinese economic relations as expected. On the contrary, the initiative is said to have further increased the deficit between Italy and China, leading Meloni to see the need to re-examine the model of economic cooperation with China. Meloni said that while she wants to improve economic and trade relations with China, she does not think it is necessary to rely on the Belt and Road Initiative as a specific tool.
China has expressed its opposition to Italy's decision and accused it of smearing and undermining cooperation and creating bloc confrontation and division. This response shows that China's vision for global promotion and participation in the Belt and Road Initiative remains firm. China** may be disappointed that Italy** has failed to understand and recognize the long-term value of the initiative and the potential for mutually beneficial cooperation.
This decision by Italy** is also seen as a manifestation of its strategic line of leaning more towards Atlanticism. This tendency, in close harmony with the European Union and the United States, means that Italy is paying more attention to preserving and strengthening the Western system of alliances. This is perhaps a repositioning of Italy in the international political arena to seek wider cooperation and support in order to safeguard its national interests and play a more active role in global affairs.
In the face of international concerns and speculation, Meloni** may need to clarify the motives behind her decision through more detailed explanations. This explanation should cover Italy's specific experience with the Belt and Road Initiative and why they believe that the initiative has failed to deliver the expected benefits to the country's economy. In addition, Italy** is expected to articulate its strategic plans for the future, in particular how it will manage its relations with China and other countries during its G7 presidency, as well as its broader responsibilities in international affairs.
For Italy, withdrawing from the Belt and Road Initiative is not only an adjustment of bilateral relations, but also a decision related to the country's overall strategic direction and development vision. Meloni** may need to engage in more dialogue with domestic stakeholders to ensure that her decisions generate broad support at home. This involves dialogue with various sectors such as business, industry, academia, etc., to build a more coherent national position.
On the international stage, Italy will face more responsibilities and challenges, especially in the G7 presidency next year. This status will make Italy an important player in the global agenda, requiring leadership in tackling global challenges and promoting international cooperation. Therefore, while handling relations with China, Meloni needs to seriously think about how to play a constructive role in global affairs and make positive contributions to the peace and prosperity of the international community.
Overall, Italy's decision to withdraw from the Belt and Road Initiative marks an important change in international relations. The impact of this decision is not limited to Italy-China relations, but could also have far-reaching implications for the global economic and geopolitical landscape. Therefore, over time, we will pay close attention to Italy's role in international affairs and its future direction.