BEIJING, May 19 (People’s Daily Online) -- As the second largest economic partner of Europe, immediately after the U.S., China plays a positive role for Europe and contributes significantly to the stability of global economy, said Massimo D'Alema, former Prime Minister of Italy and President of the foundation for European Progressive Studies, in an interview with People's Daily Online on Tuesday.

China is experiencing a very important time of transition from accelerated growth to a more sustainable one. China is reforming its model of development in sense of reducing inequality, improving social protection, looking at European experiences as well as working with new technologies against pollution, said D'Alema who came to China to attend the 5th China-Europe High-level Political Parties Forum in Beijing.

An old friend to Chinese people, D'Alema is quite familiar with China. He first visited China in 1979, when he came to China as a Communist Youth leader of Italy and the more than two weeks' visit had left him a deep impression. "I stayed in Beijing Hotel which was the hotel for foreign guests at that time. When I woke up early in the morning, I saw something seemed to be a river and later I realized it was nothing but thousands of people riding bikes and there were no cars on the road." D'Alema smiled as those scenes are still fresh in his memory. "Very impressive. Very very impressive," he said repeatedly and emotionally.

D'Alema spoke highly of China's achievements on the occasion of the 95th anniversary of CPC. He said: "1979 was less than 40 years ago. Actually it seemed to be two centuries ago. The leap forward of China in a very short period has been very impressive. It's one reason why I admire China and Chinese people because in the past 30 years China became one of the most important political and economic power in the world. It was a miracle and a great success."

At the same time, as former Prime Minister of Italy, D'Alema also proposed the opportunities China and Italy may embrace in boosting the cooperation on green economy.

"I strongly believe that green economy is the new frontier of the growth and development. The conclusion of the COP 21 in Paris established very important targets for every country. China is one of the leaders of finding a positive solution in reducing pollution, launching a new message to the international community. I am sure it's possible for China to cooperate with Italy whose companies have many related experiences and there is ground for working together to find new energy plans," said D'Alema.