Chinese and Italian officials Thursday agreed to enhance cooperation and push bilateral relations to a higher level.

He Guoqiang, a Standing Committee member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, hailed bilateral ties over the past four decades during a meeting with an Italian delegation headed by Maurizio Sacconi, Minister of Labor and Social Affairs.

Mutual high-level visits, enhanced political mutual trust and expansion in economic and trade cooperation brought real benefits to both peoples, He said.

"The exchange of visits by large business delegations indicate the importance attached to the development of trade and economic ties by the two governments and business communities," he told the Italian delegation which is here for the Sino-Italian economic and trade cooperation forum.

The Italian delegation, which groups representatives of Italy's leading banks, enterprises and small and medium-sized companies, has visited Chongqing, a business center in southwest China, and Shanghai.

During their stay in Beijing, they will continue seminars and one-on-one talks to explore cooperation opportunities with their Chinese partners.

The two countries pinned hopes on cultural programs aimed at strengthening understanding and friendship between the two peoples.

"The Year of Chinese Culture, a theme year slated for the next half of this year in Italy, will contribute to the consolidation of bilateral ties," He said.

He is to visit Italy this month. Both sides expected the upcoming visit will deepen cooperation between the two countries.

Italy is China's major trade partner in the European Union, which has become China's largest trade bloc partner, export market and source of technology.

(Xinhua News Agency June 3, 2010)