Chinese State-Run Media Disapproves of Italy’s Newly Elected Meloni

Head of Fratelli d’Italia (Brothers of Italy) party, Giorgia Meloni waves from the stage during a united rally of the League (Lega) party, the Brothers of Italy party and the Forza Italia (FI) party for a protest against the government in Piazza del Popolo in Rome, Italy, on July 4, 2020. Tiziana Fabi/AFP via Getty Images

The coalition led by the Brothers of Italy won Italy’s general election on Sept. 25. The party’s leader Giorgia Meloni will become the country’s first female prime minister. The Chinese communist regime and its official media reacted to Meloni’s victory with a warning and negative prediction, as Meloni has expressed strong support for Taiwan and vowed to pull out from China’s “Belt and Road” initiatives (BRI) after entering office.

The regime’s mouthpiece Xinhua said in an article on Sept. 27, quoting a French scholar, “The new Italian government in the future may no longer be a ‘positive force’ within the EU, as it sees the EU as a constraint.”

Giorgia Meloni, leader of the Fratelli d'Italia (Brothers of Italy) speaks at a press conference at the party electoral headquarters overnight, in Rome, Italy, on Sept. 26, 2022. Antonio Masiello/Getty Images

Another Chinese official media Global Times labeled Meloni as “far-right” on Sept. 27, comparing her with Benito Mussolini, a fascist leader of Italy during World War II, despite her party’s stance as a mainstream conservative party.

The article also cited a Chinese scholar saying “the right-wing alliance may not be capable of solving many problems in Italy.”

The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Sept. 26 urged the new Italian government to continue “a positive and pragmatic policy toward China.”

Support for Taiwan

Meloni is known for her tough stance on the Chinese regime. In an interview with Taiwan’s national media CNA on Sept. 23, she reiterated her support for Taiwan, criticized China’s aggressive actions in the international community, and cautioned their implications for Italy and the European Union.

A Taiwan Coast Guard ship travels past the coast of China, in the waters off Nangan island of Matsu archipelago in Taiwan, on Aug. 16, 2022. Ann Wang/Reuters

Regarding the recent escalated military threats by the Chinese regime toward Taiwan, Meloni said “this is an unacceptable conduct by Beijing, a conduct that we strongly condemn, together with all the democracies of the free world.”

The Chinese embassy in Italy responded to Meloni’s interview in a statement on Sept. 24 saying that China noticed “some negative remarks related to Taiwan and the rhetoric of being tough on China,” and expressed ”strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition” to it.

Pulling Out of BRI

Meloni said in the interview with CNA that Italy joining China’s BRI was “a big mistake.” BRI, the regime’s strategy to invest in high stake infrastructure projects in other countries, has been widely criticized for setting debt traps for participating countries and exerting its political influence through investments. Italy joined the project in 2019.

An aerial view of the port city of Trieste in Italy which China is considering for its Belt and Road Initiative. Alberto Pizzoli/AFP/Getty Images

Moreover, Meloni has vowed that when she becomes prime minister, Italy will work to ensure that the EU’s “Global gateway”—aimed at pushing infrastructure development investments worldwide from 2021 to 2027—providing an alternative for developing countries to China’s BRI.

U.S.-based China observer Wang He told The Epoch Times on Sept. 27 that Meloni’s stance on Taiwan and BRI “directly challenged the Chinese regime’s core policies, that’s why the CCP is not happy to see her winning the election. But they can do nothing about it, as China’s economy is deteriorating and Italy’s dependence on Chinese economy is low,” he said.

Wang added, “Currently, conservative forces in Europe are surging, and if this trend becomes stronger, it will accelerate the adjustment of the EU’s China policy. If Meloni becomes the representative of this trend, it will cause the CCP more headache and fear, and the CCP has no countermeasures. The situation for the CCP in the international community will keep worsening.”