Bilateral relations between China and Italy date back to Imperial China and Ancient Rome but the ties between Italy and modern China only formally began on 6 November 1970. News of Italy's recognition of the People's Republic of China and consequent breaking of formal relations with the Republic of China spurred other European countries such as Austria and Belgium to consider similar moves. Italian Foreign MinisterPietro Nenni presented the proposal for the recognition of China in January 1969. The Italian Communist Party had invited Chinese representatives to attend their 1969 party congress; however, the Chinese side declined the invitation. The two countries exchanged ambassadors in February of the following year. To this day, China and Italy participate in high-level political exchanges. In September 2005, Chinese Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan and Italian Deputy Defense Minister Salvatore Cicu expressed their hope for closer military cooperation between the two countries. Hongdu Aviation, one of China's major aircraft manufacturers, was first established as Sino-Italian National Aircraft Works in 1934, as a joint venture between the Republic of China and the Kingdom of Italy. However, after the Second Sino-Japanese War broke out in 1937, Italy became an ally of Japan and assisted Japan in its bombing of SINAW factories. The Chinese government confiscated Italian properties in December 1937 and all Italian employees of the company left by the end of the year. On March 24, 2019, Italy signed up to the Belt and Road Initiative, becoming the first G7 nation to do so. On 13 March 2020, China sent medical supplies, including masks and respirators to Italy, together with a team of Chinese medical staff to help Italy fight the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy. These were not donations but rather paid products and services. Italian Prime MinisterGiuseppe Conte thanked China for its support and assistance. However, in April 2020, it was reported that the PPE kits sold by China to Italy were the same that Italy had earlier donated to China during the initial spread of the Coronavirus in China.
