Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi made a whistle stop tour of Shanghai's Tongji University on Sept 3 before arriving in Hangzhou for the G20 Summit.

While delivering a keynote speech at the university, Renzi said he was looking forward to the summit and hoped it would pave the way for more Italy-Sino cooperation.

Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi gives a keynote speech at Tongji University in Shanghai on Sept 3. [Photo/Tongji University]

Renzi spoke about the importance role of innovation in dealing with economic challenges and contributing to growth, and encouraged the young Chinese generation to "bear an innovative spirit".

Italy is China's fourth largest trading partner within the Europe Union and China is Italy's largest trade partner in Asia. As such, the prime minster suggested that both sides should expand bilateral trade through more mutual investments.

The prime minister also said he looked forward to the "Road to 50", an initiative aimed at upgrading the bilateral strategic partnership with more in-depth cooperation by 2020. The initiative represents the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Italy. Renzi said both sides should make a timetable for the initiative to further exchanges in in a wider range of areas.