Tara Mu?�r Hormzyar
The US Secretary of State expressed concern about China's plan to expand China's economic influence in Italy, while Rome promised to be wary of cybersecurity.
"The Secretary of State and I have had a long conversation about US concerns as China tries to capitalize on its economic presence in Italy for its own strategic purposes," Pompeo said.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio cut their elbows instead of shaking hands at a joint press conference in Rome on September 30 Photo: Reuters
"The US also called on the Italian government to carefully consider the risks posed by the Chinese Communist Party technology company to national security and citizens' privacy," the US Secretary of State added.
Di Maio said Italy maintained its commitment to Western partners and understood the US position.
Last year, Italy, where the US has some major military bases, caused many officials in Washington to raise their eyebrows as it became the first major Western economy to join the Belt and Road Initiative,
Washington - Beijing relations are at their lowest level in years.
Pompeo on September 29 called China "the greatest external threat the US faces in the medium to long term".
China's Foreign Ministry today criticized US Secretary of State Pompeo for saying "nonsense", emphasizing that the idea of an "anti-China alliance" will never come true.
Pompeo will travel to Japan, South Korea and Mongolia next week, with the agenda expected to focus on China and North Korea.
