According to a media report, the Italian government has officially informed China of the end of its participation in the New Silk Road. Rome had already confirmed Beijing’s formal withdrawal from the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in a note verbale earlier this week, the Italian daily Corriere della Serra reported on Wednesday. However, both sides instead wanted to revitalize the strategic partnership that has existed between Italy and China for more than ten years – but which has never been fully implemented – as far as possible, the report said, citing the letter. There was initially no official announcement from either Italy or China.