Green tech, yachts, cars in Italy-China agreement

(ANSA) - ROME, JUL 31 - The exchange of information on green technologies, photovoltaic systems, as well as electric vehicles, shipbuilding for the construction of cruise ships, the development of small and medium-sized firms and the safeguard of intellectual property rights are the areas of cooperation included in a new protocol of agreement between Italy and China, a copy of which has been viewed by ANSA.
    The protocol was signed by the business and made in Italy ministry (MIMIT) and the ministry of industry and information technology (MIIT) of the People's Republic of China.
    The protocol doesn't include the theme of artificial intelligence, which is believed to not have been part of any memorandum of understanding signed by the two sides.
    It will be valid "for a period of five years and it will be automatically renewed for an additional five years" unless one of the sides terminates it.
    The memorandum of understanding on industrial cooperation was forged during an official visit to Beijing earlier this month by Italian Business and Made in Italy Minister Adolfo Urso, who met with Chinese Industry and Information Technology Minister Jin Zhuanglong.
    The agreement was subsequently signed by Italy's ambassador to China, Massimo Ambrosetti, and by Chinese authorities during Premier Giorgia Meloni's first official visit to China which ended on Wednesday.
    It is part of a new phase of strategic partnership between Italy and China, the document said, with the objective of "strengthening cooperation, economic growth, sustainable development, investments and employment". (ANSA).