Italy signed pact in 2019 expecting big boost to exports
Hopedfor economic gains did not materialise
Rome says still expects good relations with Beijing

ROME, Dec 6 Reuters Italy has officially informed China that it is leaving the Belt and Road Initiative BRI, dismissing fears the decision could sour relations and damage the Italian economy, government sources said on Wednesday.

Italy in 2019 became the first and so far only major Western nation to join the trade and investment programme, ignoring warnings from the United States that it might allow China to take control of sensitive technologies and vital infrastructure.

However, when Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni took office last year, she said she wanted to withdraw from the deal, which was championed by President Xi Jinping, saying it had brought no significant gains to Italy.

The 2019 accord expires in March 2024 and an Italian government source said Rome had sent Beijing a letter in recent days informing China that it would not be renewing the pact.

China39;s foreign ministry said on Thursday that the Belt and Road has enormous appeal and global influence, without singling out Italy for criticism.

China firmly opposes smearing that damages Belt and Road cooperation, and is opposed to divisions created by camp confrontation, foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin told reporters at a routine briefing.

A second Italian government source, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of…