<span style="color: #222222;">Italy has signed a non-binding protocol with China to take part in Beijing's new Silk Road of transport and trade links stretching from Asia to Europe. Italy became the first G7 country to sign up for the project. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Chinese President Xi Jinping and Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte both attended a ceremony in Rome yesterday for the signing of 29 Memoranda of Understanding, which Italian media said were worth 5.6 to 8 billion US Dollars.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Mr Conte is due to sign further deals during a visit to China next month.</span><br />