ROME, July 5 (Xinhua) -- Italian President Giorgio Napolitano praised the relations between Italy and China and China's role in international affairs during a recent interview with Xinhua ahead of Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit to Italy.

    The Italian president said Italy-China ties have seen rapid development in recent years, and the mutual understanding and cooperation between the two countries have also been deepened.

    Relations between Italy and China are a comprehensive strategic partnership, which not only values economic and trade cooperation but also sees collaboration in international organizations, between government agencies and in areas of common concern, including in health care, vocational training and cultural relics exploitation, Napolitano said.

    The businessmen accompanying President Hu to Italy will not only contribute to boosting bilateral trade, but also open up new investment channels in strategic fields such as environment and energy, the president said.

    Napolitano stressed exchanges between the youth of the two countries, saying student exchanges between China and European countries, including Italy, "can enhance awareness of each other's culture and support global cooperation and peace."

    "Italian students are deeply interested in studying in China and learning Chinese culture and language, just like in the past when they wanted to study in the United States. Vice versa, there are many Chinese students who choose to complete their studies in Italy," he said.

    The Italian president said he was sure that such an investment in future generations would boost cooperation and exchange between Italy and China.

    Napolitano also talked about events planned for the Chinese Year in Italy in 2010, which will mark the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

    The year 2010 will also mark the 400th anniversary of the birth of Matteo Ricci, "one of the most famous Italians in China and a symbol of the cultural and historical exchange between the two countries," he said.

    Italy-China relations are also based on a particular humanitarian "closeness" in hard times, the president said.

    He expressed his gratitude to the Chinese people over their solidarity with Italians after a massive earthquake hit the Italian city of L'Aquila in April.

    Those are the same feelings that have been demonstrated by Italian people following a strong earthquake in China's Sichuan province in May last year, Napolitano said, noting that it demonstrates the friendship between peoples of the two countries.

    The president also believed that Italy-China ties should be viewed in the broader framework of China-European Union (EU) relations.

    Italy is glad to see China's participation in various regional organizations, such as the Asia-Europe summit, Napolitano said.

    The EU looks forward to China's recognition of Europe's global status, and hopes to extend the consensus reached at the 11th China-EU summit in May in Prague, he said.

    China plays a major role in maintaining regional stability, conventional and nuclear arms control, the international anti-terror campaign, aid for developing countries, poverty reduction and environmental protection, which will also dominate the upcoming G8 summit, and China also plays a crucial role in dealing with the global financial crisis, Napolitano said.

    The current crisis represents an important opportunity to re-establish global regulations and reform international financial institutions, the president said.

    The reform will not succeed without crucial contributions from China, he said.

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