Wang told Tajani that China is prepared to work with Italy to unlock further “potential” in bilateral ties, signalling interest in deepening collaboration despite broader shifts in global trade dynamics.

China is open to expanding cooperation in areas including e-commerce, agriculture and food, healthcare and the development of industrial parks, the commerce ministry said, outlining sectors seen as key to future engagement.

The meeting reflects ongoing efforts by Beijing to sustain and diversify trade relationships with European partners, as global supply chains and geopolitical alignments continue to evolve.

The survivors, who said their vessel had initially carried 105 people, were found clinging to the wreckage of an overturned boat before being taken aboard nearby ships, according to Mediterranea Saving Humans and Sea-Watch. The bodies and survivors were later transferred to an Italian coast guard patrol boat and brought to the island of Lampedusa.

Italy’s interior ministry declined to comment on the incident, while the Italian Coast Guard did not immediately respond to requests for confirmation. The rescue took place during Easter, a major holiday in Italy.

Footage released by Sea-Watch showed migrants struggling in open waters, with several individuals holding onto the partially submerged orange hull as rescuers approached.

The central Mediterranean route, one of the world’s deadliest migration corridors, has been further complicated this year by adverse weather conditions. Rough seas have reduced the number of departures from North Africa but increased the risks for those attempting the journey.

The International Organization for Migration estimates that at least 683 people have died along the central Mediterranean route so far this year, marking one of the highest death tolls recorded since 2014.

The 19-year-old Italian set the fastest lap of 1:28.778, narrowly edging teammate George Russell, while Oscar Piastri of McLaren-Mercedes qualified third.Antonelli, who became the youngest pole-sitter in Formula One history a week earlier, continued his strong form after clinching his maiden victory at the Chinese Grand Prix.

His latest performance reinforces Mercedes’ early-season dominance, with the team now claiming pole position in all three races so far, including Russell’s at the season opener in Australia.

“It was a good session, I’m happy with it,” Antonelli said, noting steady improvements across laps despite a lock-up at Turn 11 on his final run.

“I felt good in the car, felt good with the track, and now focusing on the race.”Russell, who leads the drivers’ standings with 51 points after two races, remains narrowly ahead of Antonelli on 47, setting up a potential intra-team battle as the season progresses.

Antonelli said maintaining consistency would be key as he continues adapting to the car and extracting performance without overreaching. “It’s about keeping the momentum and improving step by step,” he added.

Recent attacks on oil and gas infrastructure have already driven up prices, raising concerns about inflation, trade disruptions and broader economic slowdown across both advanced and emerging markets.

Across Europe, memories of the economic fallout from the Russia-Ukraine war are shaping concerns about a fresh energy shock.

Germany, with its industry-heavy economy, is particularly exposed to higher energy costs. Although manufacturing activity has shown signs of stabilisation after a prolonged downturn, rising input costs and weaker global demand could weigh on exports. While Berlin has introduced stimulus measures, fiscal constraints may limit further support.

Italy faces similar vulnerabilities, given its large manufacturing base and relatively high dependence on oil and gas in its energy mix.In United Kingdom, electricity prices are closely tied to gas costs, which have risen sharply since the conflict began.

While a price cap may soften the immediate impact on households, economists warn it could lead to prolonged high borrowing costs and strain public finances.

Japan remains highly vulnerable due to its reliance on imported energy, sourcing around 95% of its oil from the Middle East. Nearly 90% of these supplies pass through the Strait of Hormuz, making supply disruptions a critical risk.

The impact is compounded by a weak yen, which increases the cost of imports and adds to inflationary pressures affecting food and household goods.

In the Gulf, the conflict is expected to have a direct economic impact. While higher oil prices would typically boost revenues, disruptions to shipping routes could offset gains if exports are constrained.

Countries such as Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain rely heavily on the uninterrupted flow of hydrocarbons through the Strait of Hormuz.

Any sustained blockage could hinder their ability to access global markets.The conflict could also affect remittance flows from expatriate workers, a key source of income for many households in the region.

Among large emerging economies, India is particularly exposed. It imports about 90% of its crude oil and nearly half of its liquefied petroleum gas, with a significant share transported via the Strait of Hormuz.

Higher energy prices could widen India’s trade deficit, fuel inflation and complicate monetary policy, especially if global financial conditions tighten in response to the crisis.

As energy markets remain volatile, the extent of the economic impact will depend on the duration of the conflict and the degree of disruption to global supply chains.

In a joint letter to EU leaders, Mette Frederiksen and Giorgia Meloni said Europe “cannot risk a repeat” of the earlier influx, when hundreds of thousands arrived, many fleeing the Syrian civil war.

The two leaders urged the European Commission to adopt a 458-million-euro ($527 million) humanitarian aid package aimed in part at supporting populations affected by the Middle East conflict before displacement leads to onward migration toward Europe.

“The ongoing conflict in the Middle East is increasingly worrying,” they wrote, noting that the region already hosts large numbers of displaced people. They warned that unmanaged flows could have implications not only for those directly affected but also for the “security and cohesion” of the European Union.

Their proposal emphasizes assistance to countries in the region to manage displacement locally, reducing the likelihood of large-scale migration toward Europe.

Frederiksen and Meloni said the EU must strengthen its external borders and improve preparedness to respond to potential migration pressures. “We cannot afford to be taken by surprise as in the past,” they said, calling for proactive steps if the situation deteriorates.

The initiative reflects a broader push among some EU leaders to tighten migration policies in response to geopolitical instability and evolving security concerns.

The issue has also been raised by other European leaders. Friedrich Merz warned earlier this month that instability in Iran could have “far-reaching consequences,” including increased migration flows.

Frederiksen and Meloni were joined by Rob Jetten and other EU representatives in informal discussions with the European Commission on “innovative” approaches to limit immigration in light of the conflict.

The warnings come as the war, which began with a bombardment of Iran by the United States and Israel in late February, continues to reshape regional dynamics and raise concerns across Europe.

According to a report by the Safa news agency, the devastating air raid struck the Al-Najjar family home in Khan Yunis last week, igniting a blaze that claimed the lives of nine children and inflicted severe injuries on Dr. Al-Najjar’s husband. Adam, the only child to survive, is currently undergoing treatment at Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza — the same hospital where his mother works.

In a statement released on Thursday, Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed its deep concern and ongoing coordination regarding the tragedy.

“Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani is closely following the case of Dr. Alaa Al-Najjar, whose family was targeted in an Israeli attack in recent days,” the ministry said. “The Italian government is prepared to transfer Adam to Italy for treatment.”

Efforts are now underway to arrange Adam’s transfer, the statement added, noting that all actions would be undertaken in accordance with the wishes of Dr. Al-Najjar and her family. Rome’s outreach comes amid mounting international concern over the escalating civilian toll in Gaza.

Malta has also joined Italy in offering humanitarian support, expressing readiness to provide refuge to Dr. Al-Najjar and her family.

The airstrike that obliterated Dr. Al-Najjar’s home is part of a broader Israeli military campaign in the Gaza Strip. The pediatrician, known for her service at Nasser Hospital, was reportedly on duty when the charred remains of her children arrived at the facility. Witnesses say she collapsed in shock upon seeing them.

The attack has stirred emotional reactions across Europe and the Middle East, with several humanitarian organizations urging immediate international intervention to protect civilians in conflict zones.

Italy’s proposal marks a significant diplomatic stance, as Rome seeks to demonstrate solidarity with the victims of the ongoing conflict. Minister Tajani’s office emphasized that Adam’s care and safety are of “paramount importance,” and that Italy stands ready to act on humanitarian grounds.

With Gaza’s health infrastructure teetering on collapse, the potential evacuation of Adam to Italy could mark a rare success story amid a growing humanitarian catastrophe.

As the conflict grinds on, the story of little Adam — an orphaned survivor with the weight of unimaginable loss — is emerging as a powerful symbol of Gaza’s suffering and the urgent need for global action.

“We express our full support for the … proposal to create an ad hoc sanctions regime against Hamas and its supporters,” said the letter seen by Reuters.

“The swift adoption of this sanctions regime will enable us to send a strong political message about the European Union’s commitment against Hamas and our solidarity with Israel,” the letter said.

The three countries’ delegations have been in horse-trading overdrive over the past few months to win votes from the 182 member states of the Bureau International des Expositions, holding splashy lobbying events in the French capital.

South Korea’s southeastern city of Busan is competing against Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh and Italy’s Rome.

Rome has placed a heavy emphasis on human rights and democracy in its bid to host the Expo, painting itself as a more ethical option than Riyadh, which is widely seen as the frontrunner.

“Rome is the most credible city for an expo which has as an objective sustainable development, an expo which respects human rights, diversity, dialogue, inclusion, women, the LGBTQ+ community, unions,” City Mayor Roberto Gualtieri told a conference last week.

“Certainly we have less economic capital to spend than others have done in asking for a direct vote … (but) if money that comes from the sale of fossil fuels is worth more than anything else, then we tell the world, ‘watch out how these events will turn out’,” he added.

Horse – Trading

A win for Saudi Arabia would be the icing on the cake for de-facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s ambitious Vision 2030 program, which aims to wean the country off its oil dependency.

Critics say Prince Mohammed is using the event to improve his country’s image after the 2018 murder of prominent Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, which Western leaders believe was ordered by the crown prince.

Riyadh won French support for the first round of voting, with Macron advisers saying it was in return for some Saudi help on other issues at the heart of French diplomatic priorities.

A European official said it had to do with Lebanon, without specifying. But the Macron adviser has said the commitment is limited to the first round of voting. More than one vote will be necessary if no country gets a majority at the first ballot.

Meanwhile, campaigning has been in full swing in Paris.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol made a final push during a trip to Paris, saying the Expo would be a chance for South Korea to give back to the world after benefiting from international aid in the aftermath of the 1950-53 Korean War.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni personally got involved in trying to persuade international leaders to back the Rome bid, giving it her full political backing. However, she is not scheduled to travel to Paris on Tuesday – a sign for some that she believes it is likely to be a lost cause.

Rome is looking to use the Expo as a way of attracting investment, much as Milan did when it successfully hosted the 2015 Expo. That was the last Expo to be staged in Europe and Rome says it is only fair the continent get it back in 2030, given Dubai staged it in 2020 and Osaka, Japan will in 2025.

Since taking office in October 2022, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has sought to forge closer ties with the Gulf, shrugging off the concerns of previous coalitions over human rights in the region.

Urso is visiting the Arabian peninsula until Tuesday, with meetings in Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

“Italy and Saudi Arabia are committed to developing a regulatory and industrial framework that favours and accelerates strategic autonomy in the critical raw materials sector,” Urso said in a statement after a meeting in Riyadh with Khalid Al Saalem, president of the Royal Commission for Jubail & Yanbu, which helps oversee development of Saudi Arabia’s energy industry.

“We explored the possibility of partnerships and joint investments especially in the mining sector, both in our respective countries and in third areas, such as the African continent.”

Top representatives of companies including Pirelli (PIRC.MI), Maire Tecnimont (MTCM.MI) and Prysmian (PRY.MI) attended the meeting, the minister added.

The ship is leaving on Wednesday from the western Italian port of Civitavecchia with 170 staff, including 30 people trained for medical emergencies, the minister said, adding that Italy was also working to send a field hospital to Gaza.

Crosetto suggested that two Italian naval vessels already sent to the region were likely to remain in place.

“We will evaluate whether to keep them in the area but I prefer to keep three ships there and not to have any regrets,” Crosetto told reporters.

Foreign ministers from the G7, which includes Italy, called on Wednesday for humanitarian pauses in the Israel-Hamas war to allow in aid and help the release of hostages.