Rome -- Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping said Wednesday that the Chinese people deeply underhand the importance of unification and independence for a country.

Xi made the remarks while meeting Italian President Giorgio Napolitano amidst Italy's nationwide celebrations for the 150th anniversary of its unification.

The Chinese people wholeheartedly admired the achievements made by the Italian people during its unification and development process, Xi told Napolitano.

Related: Xi's visit indicates close ties with Italy

Xi, one of the 80-plus foreign guests of Napolitano, arrived in Rome earlier Wednesday afternoon for attending the unification celebrations due to be held Thursday morning.

On bilateral ties, Xi said that Italy is an important member of the 27-member European Union (EU). "Sino-Italian relations are one of the most stable bilateral ties between China and other EU members," he said.

In recent years, China and Italy have kept frequent high-level visits and made progress in political, economic and cultural exchanges. The two sides also maintained sound communication and coordination in international affairs.

China and Italy are important trading partners to the other. China is Italy's 10th largest trading partner, while Italy is China's fourth biggest trading partner in the EU. Dual-track trade hit US$45.15 billion in 2010, a year-on-year rise of 44. 5 percent.

"It is in our mutual interests to further strengthen China-Italy relations," Xi said, adding that China is willing to further mutual trust and understanding, deepen bilateral cooperation in economic, scientific and technological, environmental protection and other areas for the benefits of the two peoples.

Related: VP arrives in Rome for visit

Xi also stressed China and the EU, the world's largest developing country and the largest bloc composed of a number of developed countries, should enhance cooperation.

The two sides should "go along with changes in the international situation and develop an equal partnership featuring mutual respect, equal treatment and transcending ideological differences," he said.

"A good China-EU relationship complies with the interests of the two sides and is conducive to the peace, stability and prosperity in the world," Xi said.

On China's domestic situation, Xi briefed Napolitano on China's 12th five-year programm, which will last through to 2015 from this year.

"In line with the concept of scientific development, China will accelerate the transformation of economic development mode, deepen reform and opening-up, guarantee and improve people's livelihood in an effort to promote the steady and relatively fast economic growth in the long run while ensuring the social harmony and stability," he said.

Napolitano hailed the Itlay-China exchanges which could be traced back in history. Italy hoped to further enhance all-round cooperation with China and further push forward the growth of Italy-China and EU-China relations, he said.

Italy is the first-leg of Xi's four-nation visit. He will also pay official visits to Cuba, Uruguay and Chile.