"The Chinese Roots of Italy’s Far-Right Rage." New York Times adds: "The country’s new politics are often attributed to anger over migrants. But the story begins decades ago, when China first targeted small textile towns." 

NY Times has evolved into a geopolitics tabloid. Intrigue pitcher, non pareil. China dominates the global economic roost so demonization of Beijing is a no brainer although I find it immature. Apparently, if ever, Italy's current "Far-Right" anti-immigrants anger is directed at a flawed asylum system vis a vis refugees from the Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa, which I often link with border laxity of Schengen Area, yet media again points at the Chinese. Beijing doesn't muzzle in military brawn as trade leverage in favor of business/investments yet it is perennially sneered at.
The anti China narrative is loud yet historical facts and current events don't really support the smear campaign. Bilateral relations between China and Italy date back to Imperial China and Ancient Rome but ties only formally began in 1970. That was when Italy recognized the People's Republic of China over Taiwan. Other European countries such as Austria and Belgium followed. Since then, China and Italy participated in high-level political exchanges. In 2005, Defense ministers of both sides expressed hope for closer military cooperation which of course pissed NATO diehards, although Italy is also a member. And with Beijing and Taipei looming as major trade BFFs in the East, it's all good.

China and Italy. Then and now. Like other bilateral relations, Beijing and Rome weren't always awesome. We can trace trade friendship from long time ago's incessant flow of goods and information between travellers from the Roman Empire and Han Empire of China, as well as those from Eastern Roman Empire and various Chinese dynasties. Count Marco Polo's friendship with Kublai Khan when the khagan ruled Yuan Dynasty in 1200s. Cordial ties stayed to modern times. One of a number of huge partnerships was the Hongdu Aviation, one of China's major aircraft manufacturers, which was first established as Sino-Italian National Aircraft Works (SINAW) in 1934.
          The Republic of China and Kingdom of Italy joint venture Sino-Italian National Aircraft Works or SINAW is symbolic in a way. When the Second Sino-Japanese War broke out in 1937, Italy became an ally of Japan and assisted Japan in its bombing of SINAW factories. The Chinese government confiscated Italian properties in that year and all Italian employees of the company left by the end of the year. Probably this is what media calls as "Chinese roots of Italy’s Far-Right rage," which happened almost 83 years ago. Come on! Why I say that break in friendship has been healed? In March 24, 2019, Italy signed up to the Belt and Road Initiative, becoming the first G7 (or G8) nation to do so. Let's stay positive, okay?