ROME, In a significant move, the Giorgia Meloni government in Italy has formally withdrawn from China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), marking an end to a four-year participation in the project. Italy, having joined the program in 2019, became the first and only G7 nation to participate in the initiative.
The decision to withdraw was communicated by Rome to Beijing three days ago, as reported by the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera. The agreement with China was set to be automatically renewed after expiring in March 2024 unless Italy provided at least three months’ written notice of withdrawal.
During the G20 Summit in Delhi earlier this year, Italian Prime Minister Meloni had hinted at exiting the agreement, signaling a shift in Italy’s relations with China and the United States. In September, Bloomberg reported that Prime Minister Meloni informed Chinese counterpart Li Qiang of Italy’s plan to withdraw from President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative while expressing a desire to maintain friendly relations with Beijing.
The Belt and Road Initiative, initiated by China, aims to revive the ancient Silk Road, connecting China with Asia, Europe, and beyond through extensive infrastructure projects. However, critics view it as a tool for China to expand its geopolitical and economic influence. Italy’s withdrawal is seen as a notable development reflecting changing global dynamics and concerns about the impact of the initiative.
