Liu Chuanzhi, founder of Lenovo, the Chinese giant in the production of personal computers, together with Ma Weihua, former CEO of the China Merchants Bank, were awarded the Italian honorary decoration of ‘Commander of the Order of the Star of Italy’. The two businessmen, among the most influential in China, received the high decoration from the hands of the President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella, during his first state visit to China. The ceremony was hosted by the Italian Ambassador, Ettore Sequi, in the Italian Embassy on the same day of President Mattarella’s arrival in Beijing. The President’s visit to China will also include visits to Shanghai, Chongqing, and Xi’an.
Ambassador Sequi underlined that the insignia of ‘Commander’ awarded to Liu Chuanzhi and Ma Wehua, respectively the Chairman and President of the China Entrepreneur Club (CEC), a major Chinese business association, acknowledge the exceptional expressions of friendship Ma and Li have always shown for Italy. “The honorary decorations are also an important instrument to promote stronger bilateral relations, which reached its loftiest moment in President Mattarella’s state visit to China,” said Ambassador Sequi. Liu Chuanzhi and Ma Weihua strongly supported the organisation of CEC’s mission to Italy in October 2015.
On that occasion, a large delegation of Chinese entrepreneurs and executives from the country’s major private companies travelled to Italy to explore the business opportunities with our Country, thus laying the grounds for further expanding and enhancing the economic and trade relations between Italy and China. During the visit, the CEC delegation was received by the Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs. They also had the opportunity to visit several Italian enterprises across the country.