North-East Asia is a region with a highly growing economic, demographic, political and strategic weight.
Italy is present in the region with its Embassies in Beijing (China), Tokyo (Japan), Seoul (South Korea, also responsible for North Korea) and Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia). There are also Consulates General in China in Shanghai, Chongqing, Canton and Hong Kong, and in Japan in Osaka, as well as one Economic, Trade and Cultural Promotion Office in Taipei. There are also 7 Italian Trade Agency’s Offices and 5 Institutes of Italian Culture.
Since 2004 Italy has established a Global Strategic Partnership with the People’s Republic of China, whose main instrument is the Italy-China Governmental Committee, co-chaired by the respective Ministers of Foreign Affairs.
Economic issues are discussed within the framework of the Joint Economic Commission. Other bilateral mechanisms include the Business Forum, the Cultural Forum, the Science, Technology and Innovation Week, the Rectors’ Forum and the Financial Dialogue.
Economic and trade cooperation in of key importance in the bilateral relations. China is Italy’s largest trading partner in Asia and its second-largest trading partner outside the EU (trade in 2024 amounted to €64.9 billion).
Relations between Italy and Japan are solid and characterized by regular high-level visits and meetings, which have intensified after the establishment of a Strategic Partnership between the two Countries in 2023. Tokyo is our third-largest trading partner in Asia, with trade in 2024 amounting to €12.6 billion, also thanks to the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) of 2019.
A Strategic Partnership was launched with South Korea in 2018, which envisages two consultation mechanisms: the Strategic Dialogue and the Strategic Meetings on Industry, Energy and Trade. With €11.4 billion in 2024, Seoul is our fourth-largest trading partner in Asia and the largest one in relation to the population.
Relations with Mongolia are also growing steadily, with the main instruments of cooperation being the Economic and Technical Commission and the Political Consultations. In 2024, bilateral trade amounted to €139 million.
Dialogue with North Korea is limited. In line with G7, EU and like-minded partners, Italy supports inter-Korean dialogue and the denuclearization of the peninsula.