China is always ready to join hands with Italy to make continued efforts to boost bilateral relations, a senior Chinese official said Wednesday in Beijing.

The Communist Party of China (CPC) is also willing to carry out dialogue and exchanges with all Italian parties, including the Daisy Party, to contribute to relations between the two countries, said Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the top advisory body of China.

Jia, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks at a meeting with a visiting Italian delegation of the Daisy Party headed by its President Francesco Rutelli.

Jia said both China and Italy are nations with long history, and centuries of friendly contacts between the two peoples have contributed greatly to east-west cultural exchanges.

"We have kept frequent high-level exchanges and witnessed good cooperation in world affairs these years," he said.

During Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's official visit to Italy in May this year, the governments of China and Italy agreed to further deepen bilateral ties by establishing stable, friendly, long-term and sustainable strategic partnership.

"This marks a new phase in the Sino-Italian relationship," Jia told his guest.

He reiterated China's principle and positions on the Taiwan issue and expressed appreciation over Italy's adherence to the one-China policy.

On developing the inter-party relationship, Jia stressed that the CPC will stick to the principle of independence, complete equality, mutual respect and non-interference in each other's internal affairs.

Rutelli said the delegation came to China for better understanding of the country, and expressed the belief that China's rapid and poised development is conducive to world peace and stability.

The Daisy Party will adhere to the one-China principle and maintain and develop a stable relationship with the CPC so as to make concerted efforts to push the bilateral ties between the two countries.