ROME, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- Marking the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Italy, 2025 saw interactions between the two ancient civilizations flourish across political, economic and cultural fields.

A series of exchanges across these areas fostered mutual understanding and signaled a new phase of cooperation between the countries.

HIGH-LEVEL EXCHANGES DRIVE BILATERAL COOPERATION

China and Italy maintained close high-level contacts this year, with leaders on both sides pointing to steady progress in bilateral ties.

In November, Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on the sidelines of the 20th Group of 20 (G20) Summit in South Africa. Li said that China is ready to strengthen the alignment of development strategies with Italy and forge a more stable and fruitful comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

For her part, Meloni said Italy-China relations enjoy a good momentum of development, with continuous bilateral exchanges at all levels and positive progress in practical cooperation.

Earlier, during a visit to Rome in October, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the two countries had, over more than half a century, engaged in high-level pragmatic cooperation, promoted cultural and people-to-people exchanges, and built a comprehensive strategic partnership.

ITALIAN BUSINESSES CONFIDENT IN CHINESE ECONOMY

With bilateral trade volume exceeding 70 billion U.S. dollars for several consecutive years, Italy sees China as a vast and dynamic market where companies can scale up and innovate.

Giuseppe Accogli, CEO of Chiesi Group, an international biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Italy, noted that the company's workforce in China has grown by 30 percent over the past two years, alongside a stronger focus on innovation.

At this year's China International Import Expo, Chiesi Group signed a cooperation agreement with China's Haisco Pharmaceutical Group to jointly develop a new drug for bronchiectasis.

"China is becoming a major global hub for innovation," Accogli said, adding that the company plans to expand exchanges in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors and bring more innovative products to the Chinese market.

Similar confidence was expressed by Stefano Petrilli, global head of operations at Marelli Propulsion.

Since entering China in 1999, Marelli has built a broad presence across automotive lighting, electronics, propulsion systems and green technologies, establishing eight research centers and 17 factories nationwide.

"China is not only the largest automotive market in the world, but also one of Marelli's most strategic and dynamic markets," Petrilli said. "This enables us to deliver customized and fast-to-market solutions for local customers, while also leveraging China's innovation and manufacturing strengths to support global projects."

He added that China's transformation from the "world's factory" into a "global innovation hub" has created unprecedented opportunities for foreign-invested enterprises like Marelli.

CULTURAL EXCHANGES CONTINUE TO FLOURISH

In June, the 27th Shanghai International Film Festival opened in Shanghai, with its jury chaired by renowned Italian filmmaker Giuseppe Tornatore. He said he enjoys watching Chinese films, noting that they offer a different perspective through which he can better understand China's history and culture.

In July, Italy's National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art hosted a special exhibition titled "2025 East and West: International Dialogue Exhibition -- From Shanghai to Rome," featuring works by 49 Chinese and Italian artists across painting, sculpture and other media.

Renata Cristina Mazzantini, general director of the gallery, highlighted China's growing influence on the global cultural stage and stressed the importance of establishing long-term artistic exchanges.

"We must remain open to the world, especially to China," she said, adding that joint exhibitions help younger artists better understand contemporary China and its dynamic art scene.

Marta Leonori, head of institutional affairs at Italy's Treccani Encyclopedia Institute, said China and Italy have long inspired creativity through mutual respect and curiosity, citing Marco Polo's journey as an enduring symbol of civilizational exchange.

"Marco Polo's story began centuries ago, but it reaches into the future -- and it is up to us to continue writing it," she said.