Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi met with Italian counterpart Franco Frattini in Beijing Tuesday.

Yang exchanged views with Frattini on bilateral ties, China-Europe relations, and global and regional issues.

Frattini is in Beijing accompanying Italian President Giorgio Napolitano, who is paying his first state visit to China at the invitation of President Hu Jintao.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries and the Year of Chinese Culture in Italy.