Visiting Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping said here on Saturday that more and more Chinese enterprises are expected to come to Italy's Lombardy region for business and investment.

In his meeting with President of Lombardy region Roberto Formigoni, Xi said relevant authorities of the two countries should set up a platform for cooperation between Chinese and Italian companies.

They should particularly give support to cooperation between high-tech companies or companies with their unique products, so that they may together expand their presence in the international market, Xi said.

China and Italy should also increase their exchange of students to keep the dynamics of bilateral relations development, Xi said.

The Chinese vice-president said during his visit, he has strongly felt the wishes of the Italian people to strengthen cooperation with China, and that bilateral cooperation is in the interest of both countries.

Xi wishes Milan success in hosting the 2015 exposition and said China is willing to share its experience in hosting the Shanghai exposition.

Formigoni said Xi's visit is an important landmark in the development of bilateral political and economic ties as well as the friendship between the two peoples.

He said the region of Lombardy is the economic hub of Italy with nearly one million small-and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which could be an important force in driving bilateral cooperation.

Formigoni said the regional is willing to tap up fresh fields of cooperation with China while deepening collaboration in traditional areas.

After his meeting with Formigoni, the Chinese vice president left Milan for Havana to continue his four-nation tour. Italy was the first stop of Xi's trip, which will also take him to Cuba, Uruguay and Chile.

During his stay in Italy, Xi joined the other world leaders to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Italy's unification and paid an official visit to the country.

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