Link to article: https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/europe/sergio-mattarella-ap-xi-jinping-beijing-italian-b2643753.html
This past Friday, the President of Italy, Sergio Mattarella, met with China’s leader Xi Jinping during his official visit to China in order to sort out relations. Italy, as a part of NATO, has been on the side of Ukraine during the Russia-Ukraine war because of fear of further Russia invasion and the alliances of those possibly invaded countries. China has been on the other side of the conflict, assisting Russia with economic benefits such as buying Russian energy exports and allowing Russia to buy military-use technology. Italy, who disagrees with China’s alignment on the matter, has withdraw their signature from China’s Belt and Road Initiative that attempts to strengthen China’s relations with countries all over the world, but did sign agreements on a variety of matters including culture, technology and trade in order to benefit both countries and keep the established ties between Europe and East Asia dating back to Marco Polo.
I think this is an important event because it is connecting two continents economically with big global actors. It also is important because it shows how different countries who are not directly involved in a conflict, such as the Russia-Ukraine war, will make their decisions based on their national standing on said conflict and it will change how they work with other countries. I think this is important for the region because it shows that no matter how the national interests of a country such as Italy and China differ, there will most likely be no major decreases in trade because other countries rely so heavily on Chinese exports so China will continue to gain power as long as other countries rely on the economic relations with them.
I expect China to respond no differently than they have been acting because, again, other countries rely on their exports so I don’t believe China will change their position with Russia unless it becomes unbeneficial for them. I think Italy will attempt to have more meetings with China and not decrease their economic relations, but subtly push their views on the Russia-Ukraine conflict in order for their people to feel supported. This connects to class because it shows how individuals (leaders of the country) play a big role in international relations because they can make big decisions and sign agreements. It also shows the importance of national Interest because even though Italy doesn’t agree with China, they are still working with them because it is beneficial for Italy economically.