On January 13, the Chinese and the Italian civil aviation delegations, led respectively by CAAC Deputy Administrator Cui Xiaofeng and President of Italian Civil Aviation Authority Nicola Zaccheo, held bilateral aviation talks in Beijing, and a MOU on expanding air traffic right arrangements was signed.

During the talks, the two sides reviewed the development of air transport market of both countries, and agreed that air transport represented a crucial part in jointly building the Belt and Road and cooperation in air connectivity, and played a positive role in boosting economic cooperation, trade and people to people exchanges between China and Italy. In view of the actual market demand and future planning, such as 2020 is the culture and tourism year of the two countries, the two sides have reached agreement on increasing capacity, destinations and the flexibility of operation according to the actual market demand and future planning,.

Currently, seven airlines from the two countries are operating 53 passenger and cargo flights every week from 14 Chinese destinations including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, etc. to Rome and Milan in Italy.