Mattarella receives China's Xi in Rome

(ANSA) - Rome, March 22 - Italian President Sergio Mattarella received Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Quirinal Palace in Rome on Friday. Xi and Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte are set to sign a memorandum of understanding on China's Belt and Road Initiative on Saturday.
    This is a massive infrastructure plan that seeks to create a sort of modern-day Silk Road to better connect China with Europe and Africa.
    The Chinese president landed in Rome on Thursday as part of a State visit that will also take in Monaco and France.
    Xi's car was escorted into the palace by Italian presidential guards on horseback.
    He was greeted with a ceremony in which the Chinese flag was raised.
    The two presidents will receive representatives of business, cultural and cooperation forums.