Italian opposition leader Romano Prodi(R)speaks to journalists in Rome April 12, 2006. (Xinhua photo)

ROME, April 12 (Xinhua) -- Romano Prodi, whose center-left coalition has claimed victory in Italy's parliamentary elections, said on Wednesday that the new government would boost relations with China.

    Strengthening relations with Asian countries, including China, will be one of the new government's foreign policy priorities, he told a press conference.

    Prodi's coalition won a slim majority in both the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies, according to the Interior Ministry results, which have been disputed by Premier Silvio Berlusconi.

    He said the overseas vote was far from decided, and suggested Italy could follow Germany's example of forming a "grand coalition" of left and right, should the final results give neither side overall control of both houses of the parliament.

    However, Prodi rejected the suggestion, saying his victory was on solid ground. "I do not fear a reversal of the results," he said.

    The former European Commission president added that a new government would be formed soon for a five-year term. Enditem