China is increasingly using Italian media to promote narratives that challenge traditional Western approaches to security and international politics. Recent publications in major Italian outlets highlight this trend, focusing on economic opportunities and a reevaluation of the global balance of power, as reported by Decode39.
Italy's leading economic newspaper, Il Sole 24 Ore, published an article by China's ambassador to Italy, Jia Guide. In the article, he presents China as a stable partner open to collaboration with European investors. The piece emphasizes China's achievements in green energy, artificial intelligence, and the consumer sector, while completely bypassing sensitive political issues, focusing solely on the economic benefits of engaging with China.
Meanwhile, Il Fatto Quotidiano published a glowing review of a book on BRICS, portraying the bloc as a new global force capable of replacing the outdated G7 model. The review highlights the concept of Eurasian identity, de-dollarization of the global economy, and a multipolar world order, challenging the traditional dominance of the West.
Both publications fit into China's strategy of dual messaging aimed at influencing public opinion in Italy. This approach combines subtlety and persistence: it emphasizes economic prospects while consciously ignoring geopolitical disagreements. As a result, China is shaping an image as a stabilizing force, in stark contrast to the fragmented West.
Experts note that these narratives are possible due to Italy's open media landscape and the country's economic challenges. The ongoing divide between security and competitiveness in Italian politics allows China to effectively promote alternative models of international interaction. A telling example is former Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta's statement that competitiveness cannot be achieved without security, and vice versa. However, in Italy, these two categories are still considered separately—a vulnerability that Beijing and its allies exploit skillfully.
