Italian president and Chinese leader sign culture and trade deals

Xi Jinping and Sergio Mattarella shake hands at a signing ceremony (Florence Lo/Pool Photo via AP)

Italian president Sergio Mattarella has met Chinese leader Xi Jinping on an official visit to China that came as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine pitted Nato allies against Beijing’s support for Moscow.

The two exchanged greetings following a ceremony with full military honours at the Great Hall of the People in the heart of Beijing.