Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged to promote “healthy and stable” relations with Italy even as the European nation plans to exit his signature Belt and Road Initiative.

Xi said in a message to his counterpart Sergio Mattarella on Tuesday that he “highly regards” the bilateral ties between the nations and “stands ready” to advance the relationship, the official Xinhua News Agency reported. Xi’s message also included condolences over the death of former President Giorgio Napolitano.

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