A person involved in planning said that Giorgia Melons first visit to China since she took office will be from July 26-31. She is hoping to improve trade between China and Italy.

Meloni is expected to meet Chinese Premier Li Qiang and President Xi Jinping. Meloni sees Chinese investments as a means to boost Italy's anaemic growth.

The forum will be held on Sunday and Monday during Meloni’s visit in Beijing.

Italy joined China's Belt and Road Initiative in 2019, becoming the first G7 country to do so. However, it withdrew last year due to U.S. concerns over Beijing's economic power.

Meloni’s government claimed that the deal brought no benefits for Italy. According to the latest figures, Italy’s annual trade with China is heavily geared towards Beijing, at 73.9 billion euros ($80.13billion).

Another source familiar with the plans said that Meloni is expected to sign bilateral trade and industrial agreements during his trip. However, they did not provide any details.

The automotive industry will be the focus of one of the panels at the Business Forum. The Italian government has been in talks with Chinese automakers to increase production and attract another major automaker.

China's Industry Ministry said this month it would be willing to promote practical collaboration with Italy, especially in the areas of automobiles, small and medium enterprises and ships.

Meloni will also raise during her visit the issue of China's overcapacity and its support for Russia's war against Ukraine.

The G7 countries - United States, Italy and Britain - were invited to a meeting in Borgo Egnazia, Italy last month. They said that they did not want to hurt China's economic development, but that they would take action to protect their companies from unfair practices. ($1 = 0.9223 euro) (Reporting and editing by Mark Heinrich; Giselda Vangnoni)