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Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is heading to China for the first time since abandoning the Asian nation’s flagship investment pact, as she seeks to stabilize ties with Beijing ahead of a volatile US election.

Meloni, whose government has worked more closely with China than others in Europe, will land Saturday for a trip that will see her meet President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang. Her visit comes as Europe braces for a November change in US president that could upend Washington’s diplomatic and trade ties with the bloc.

Meloni will be looking to "relaunch bilateral relations in sectors of common interest", an Italian official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

Talks will focus on "the main issues on the international agenda, starting with the war in Ukraine", the official added.

Meloni's administration withdrew from China's vast Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) last year, having been the only G7 nation to sign up.

Before taking office, Meloni said joining the initiative -- a central pillar of Xi's bid to expand China's clout overseas -- had been a "mistake".

Italy's non-binding memorandum of understanding with China had contained broad undertakings for cooperation in logistics, infrastructure, financial and environmental sectors.

But details were scarce and the lack of transparency fuelled distrust among Italy's allies.

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News Voiced and Reported by: Soha.M

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Genre: Current Affairs | Geo-Politics | Ukraine-Russia | China | France | EU