Not so silky

摘要

CHINA''S PRESIDENT, Xi Jinping, was due to land in Rome on March 21st, as The Economist went to press. His itinerary will include a state dinner, accompanied by a performance by Andrea Bocelli, an Italian opera star. Even more enjoyable for Mr Xi will be welcoming Italy into his Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a programme of infrastructure projects that spans Eurasia, the Middle East and Africa. Italy's prime minister, Giuseppe Conte, hopes the planned agreement, due to be signed on March 23rd, will boost Italian exports to China. But the accord has caused consternation both within his government and among Italy's traditional allies.