The ties between Italy and the city of Shanghai are ancient ones, and have intensified over recent years, a fact that was underscored by Italian ambassador to China Alberto Bradanini and Mayor of Shanghai Yang Xiong during their first meeting.
7.5 billion USD in trade with Shanghai
Of Italy’s total 41.9 billion USD in bilateral trade with China, 7.5 billion are attributable to Italy and the City of Shanghai, whose population now stands at 25 million. Italy, moreover, ranked first among Schengen country for visas issued in China – 285,000 in 2012 alone. There is still major potential in the areas of fashion, mechanics (a sector in which Italy ranks second in Europe after Germany), and in other priority sectors for China such as agri-industry, sustainable urbanisation, environmental protection and welfare development.
Shanghai ensures support for EXPO 2015
Mayor Yang Xiong expressed appreciation for Italy’s contribution to the 2010 Shanghai EXPO, and ensured China’s for the success of the Milan 2015 EXPO. Ambassador Bradanini was thankful for investments in reopening the Italian Pavilion, the Shanghai Italian Center, a prominent showcase for Italo-Chinese relations, assuring that Italy would continue to invest in the center’s strategic development, continually replenishing its contents through contributions from the most important Italian firms operating in China. The mayor of the Chinese financial capital listened with attention to the Italian proposal to create a similar center in Milan for China. In fact, Shanghai and Milan are twin cities currently engaged in passing of the staff between the two Universal Expositions.
