Gerui Wang

Opinion | What Marco Polo and Matteo Ricci can teach China and Italy today

Italy’s exit from China’s Belt and Road Initiative might seem to be a setback but it has opened the door to a more balanced relationship

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Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on July 29. Photo: EPA-EFE

Gerui Wang

Published: 9:30am, 11 Aug 2024

It all began more than 700 years ago when Italian merchant Marco Polo, embarked on his legendary journey to China. His tales of Chinese urban life, flourishing commerce, convenient transport systems and sophisticated social structures captivated the European imagination and inspired explorers like Christopher Columbus.

Last month, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stepped onto Chinese soil, aiming to rejuvenate relations. The visit, coming after Italy’s withdrawal from China’s Belt and Road Initiative, marked a significant re-evaluation of relations and economic cooperation.

As Meloni and President Xi Jinping revisited the deep historical ties between China and Italy in their conversations, it became clear that cultural exchanges are not relics but a foundation for cooperation.

Marco Polo’s legacy has lasted centuries. Italian missionary Matteo Ricci and painter Giuseppe Castiglione, both Jesuits, are also celebrated for their contributions to Sino-Italian relations.

Arriving in China in the 16th century, Ricci recognised that evangelising in a country with such profound cultural foundations required an adaptive strategy. He adopted Confucian scholarly robes and studied Chinese literature and philosophy. He earned the admiration of literati such as Xu Guangqi and Li Zhi, and introduced European geometry, astronomy and mechanical clocks to China. His approach showed that genuine engagement and mutual respect can foster deep, lasting connections between cultures.