Foreign minister Luigi Di Maio on Monday underlined the friendly ties between Italy and China and Italy's readiness to help it in tackling the deadly coronavirus outbreak.
During "extremely cordial" talks in Rome with China's ambassador to Italy, Li Junhua, Di Maio thanked Li for the cooperation Italy had received from China's authorities over the coronavirus, according to a statement.
Di Maio specifically thanked Li for China's help in repatriating 56 Italians from the coronavirus-hit city of Wuhan and surrounding area, who arrived at Pratica di Mare airport near Rome on Monday aboard a military plane.
"In the course of the extremely cordial talks, Li thanks the Italian government for the treatment given to coronavirus patients," said the statement.
Two Chinese tourists who tested positive for the coronavirus were taken to Rome's Spallanzani military hospital last week. They are being treated for the virus - which the United Nations World Health Organisation has declared a global emergency.
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