No mention of human rights and religious liberty was made, while Beijing’s propaganda and infiltration efforts intensify in Italy.
by Marco Respinti
President Mattarella with Xi Jinping. November 8. Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China.
Politics often wears a cynical mask, a reality that becomes increasingly hard to accept when a nation that champions democracy appears to appease a ruthless totalitarian regime. This is exemplified by the ongoing atrocities committed by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) under the aegis of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), a regime notorious for its brutal treatment of its own citizens. Recently, this grim reality was once again overlooked.
During an official visit by Sergio Mattarella, the President of the Republic of Italy, to the PRC from November 6 to 12, 2014, he encountered a range of high-ranking politicians, including a notable meeting with President Xi Jinping on November 8. The Beijing regime wasted no time in utilizing this occasion as a platform for propaganda. Alarmingly, there seemed to be no opportunity taken by President Mattarella to voice concern about the distressing circumstances endured by millions within China’s borders.
The international community is acutely aware that in the PRC, arbitrary imprisonment, forced labor, and internment in insidious re-education camps are grim facts of life for many innocent people. Reports document numerous instances of extrajudicial killings, unexplained deaths in custody, and an astronomical number of death sentences executed yearly—far surpassing any other state with records of human rights violations. Additionally, there are harrowing accounts of organ harvesting from prisoners of conscience, systematic torture, mental abuse, mass surveillance, basic rights trampled upon, extensive police repression, militarized localities, and the constant terror of being targeted, even for those who manage to escape abroad. Despite this well-documented violence, President Mattarella maintained a shroud of silence throughout his visit.
The grave allegations cataloged against the PRC’s regime are alarming and resonate profoundly, mirroring the concerns I previously articulated in an open letter to Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni just after her visit to the PRC in May 2024, where similar omissions were evident. Like President Mattarella, Prime Minister Meloni shared a platform with Xi Jinping but refrained from addressing the grave human rights abuses occurring under the CCP’s rule. My open letter posed the critical question: “Where Does Italy Stand on Chinese Crimes Against Humanity?” Regrettably, no response ensued from the Prime Minister, reflecting a troubling trend of indifference by Italy’s leadership towards these atrocities. Recently, this troubling pattern has been exemplified by President Mattarella’s unabashed tour, alongside Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, ostensibly representing the Italian government.
Mattarella and Xi Jinping arrive at the Great Hall of People in Beijing. Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China.
The normally affable President Mattarella found himself in awkward situations during his time in China, particularly highlighted by an embarrassing moment when he described the “bilateral relations of friendship and collaboration between China and Italy.”
Yet, few anticipated that this new diplomatic approach would manifest as a form of capitulation, as evidenced by Italy’s trade policies which appear increasingly subservient to the PRC’s economic might. A striking instance of this dynamic is illustrated by the significant imports of tomatoes, sourced from slave labor conditions in China, flooding into the once-rich tomato region of Salerno, now a strategic hub for Chinese penetration within Italy.
Moreover, concerns were raised when President Mattarella suggested that the PRC should assume a pivotal role in addressing the ongoing aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine, during his November 11 lecture at Peking University. His statement included an unfounded expectation that Beijing would leverage its influence to urge an end to Russian hostilities against Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity, a position that seems hypocritical given the PRC’s ongoing alliance with Russia.
It is difficult to interpret President Mattarella’s optimism as anything more than hope against a backdrop of facts illustrating the perilous geopolitical realities. His inviting the PRC to uphold international norms raises eyebrows, as the regime has repeatedly challenged its neighbors and violated global regulations, showing unprecedented aggression and territorial claims. The assertion of a “traditional position in support of international community norms” is a façade, failing to resonate with the actual threats posed by a state most notorious for stretching international borders and undermining fair play.
During his visit on November 11, President Mattarella toured the Buddhist Temple of Lingyin in Hangzhou, arguably unaware that it is managed by a front organization that the regime utilizes to feign respect for religious freedoms, a tactic called out by Bitter Winter. His visit lacked any acknowledgment of contemporary religious persecution, mirroring his silence at the cemetery for Catholic missionaries. While paying respects to historical figures is commendable, failing to address today’s suffering is a stark omission, particularly as Beijing extends an agreement with the Vatican that appears to benefit no one.
Mattarella visiting Lingyin Temple. Source: Presidenza della Repubblica Italiana.
Italy has unwittingly become a prominent location for the establishment of PRC-operated police stations, a troubling situation that President Mattarella, like Prime Minister Meloni before him, has failed to publicly confront. The prevalence of these stations represents a remarkable infiltration into a nation known for its commitment to human rights and civil liberties.
In addition, Italy’s asylum seekers from the Church of Almighty God faced an alarming privacy breach, revealing their identities in direct connection with PRC intelligence. Yet, President Mattarella did not inquire about this scandalous breach during his Beijing visit. Similarly, Prime Minister Meloni has remained disturbingly silent on this issue in Rome.
Interestingly, President Mattarella took time to celebrate the grand inauguration of the first Chair in Italian Culture at the University of Beijing on November 9. This initiative, backed by a generous 2.5 million euros from Fondazione Giovanni Agnelli, a noted social science research institute from Turin, is emblematic of Italy’s complex and sometimes contradictory relationship with the PRC, especially as Fiat, its founder, finds itself embroiled in controversies surrounding governmental subsidies amidst declining performance.
Mattarella, John Elkann, and Romano Prodi in Beijing.
Yet, a disconcerting thought persists, invoking parallels to the historical meeting of Franklin D. Roosevelt, Joseph Stalin, and Winston Churchill at Yalta, as Mattarella, Elkann, and Prodi sat together at the inauguration of the Agnelli Chair, their expressions mirroring a curious blend of determination and disquiet amidst significant geopolitical tensions.
How can Italy effectively advocate for human rights while maintaining its economic relationships with China?
**Interview with Marco Respinti: On Italy’s Silence Amid China’s Human Rights Abuses**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Marco. Your recent article sheds light on President Mattarella’s visit to China and a troubling silence regarding human rights abuses. Can you summarize your main concerns about this visit?
**Marco Respinti:** Thank you for having me. My main concern is that President Mattarella’s visit to China was marked by an alarming absence of any dialogue or acknowledgment of the serious human rights violations occurring under the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Despite the well-documented atrocities—such as arbitrary imprisonment, forced labor, and mass surveillance—President Mattarella chose not to confront these issues during high-profile meetings with Xi Jinping.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned that his remarks about “bilateral relations of friendship and collaboration” seemed disconcerting. Can you elaborate on why this language is problematic?
**Marco Respinti:** Certainly. It’s problematic because it downplays the harsh reality millions of Chinese citizens face daily. Framing the relationship in such positive terms while ignoring systematic abuses sends a message of indifference and, in some ways, complicity. This rhetoric can overshadow the brutal policies of the CCP and distract from the need for accountability.
**Interviewer:** You pointed out that Italy has become a location for PRC-operated police stations. What implications does this have for Italy’s sovereignty and its stance on human rights?
**Marco Respinti:** The establishment of PRC-operated police stations in Italy is a major concern for national sovereignty and highlights a growing influence that China has within Italy. This raises urgent questions about the safety and rights of individuals, particularly those who speak out against the regime. If Italian leaders remain silent on these issues, they may inadvertently facilitate a climate of fear and oppression, even in Italy.
**Interviewer:** In your opinion, what should be the proper response from Italy’s leadership regarding human rights violations in China?
**Marco Respinti:** Italy’s leaders must prioritize human rights in their diplomatic engagements with China. This includes voicing concern about abuses, seeking accountability for the atrocities, and promoting policies that uphold international human rights standards. Ignoring these discussions only emboldens the CCP and undermines Italy’s credibility on the global stage.
**Interviewer:** The relationship between Italy and China seems increasingly complex. What can be done to balance economic interests with ethical responsibilities?
**Marco Respinti:** Balancing these interests requires a principled approach. Italy should engage economically with China, but not at the expense of human rights. It is possible to seek trade and economic partnerships while also ensuring that human rights are front and center in discussions. Italy must advocate for fair trade practices and social responsibility, ensuring that its imports do not come at the cost of exploited labor.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Marco, for your insights. It’s crucial to keep these discussions alive, especially regarding such pressing global issues.
**Marco Respinti:** Thank you for the opportunity to talk about this. It’s essential for everyone to remain informed and engaged.