Italy and China intend to revive the spirit of the ancient Silk Road, deepening their trade and investment ties, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Friday during a trip to Rome.

On Saturday, Xi intends to sign an agreement according to which Italy will become the first member of the Group of Seven largest industrialized countries to join the Chinese infrastructure project Belt and Road (BRI), Reuters reported.

“We want to revitalize the ancient Silk Road in order to better share the fruits of humanity’s progress,” Xi said following talks with Italian President Sergio Mattarella.

Xi said that both countries should expand cooperation in infrastructure, ports, logistics and maritime transport.