Post Event | First Day of "Firenze incontra Nanchino", May 21-23

Dear Members and Friends,

Florence and Nanjing. Two cities so far geographically, but so close in friendship and brotherhood.

2020 marked the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Italy and China as well as the 40th anniversary of the sister-city relationship established between Florence and Nanjing in February of 1980. 

It is in this context that the China-Italy Chamber of Commerce (CICC) has organized, together with the Foreign Affairs Office of Nanjing Municipal People's Government and the Xuanwu District Bureau of Commerce, and with the support of the Consulate General of Italy in Shanghai, the “Italian Festival: Firenze incontra Nanchino – Amicizia tra Nanchino e Firenze”.

The series of activities scheduled for May 21-23 in Xuanwu district, Nanjing, will further promote cooperation between the two cities, cementing the bond of friendship between the two communities.

The Opening Ceremony, held today from 5:45 to 6:25 pm at the Oriental Metropolitan Museum and hosted by Zhang Zhichao, Director of Foreign Affairs Office of Nanjing Municipal People's Government, was structured as follows:

1. Promotional video for the 40th anniversary of twinning between Nanjing and Florence
2. Host introducing participating leaders and guests.
3. Addresses by Ambassadors:

• Address by H.E. Luca Ferrari, Ambassador of Italy to the P.R.C.
• Address by H.E. Li Junhua, Chinese Ambassador to Italy (video).

4. Addresses by city leaders:

• Address by Dario Nardella, Mayor of Florence (video). 
• Address by Han Liming, Member of the Standing Committee of CPC Jiangsu Provincial Committee and Secretary of CPC Nanjing Municipal Committee.

5. Introduction of cooperation between Xuanwu District and Italy by Qian Wei, Chief Executive of Xuanwu District Government. 
6. Release of Nanjing-Florence Tourism Revival Plan by CITS (Jiangsu). 
7. Signing ceremony:

• Signing of the Agreement on further Friendly Cooperation between Nanjing and Florence
• Signing of Strategic Cooperation Projects: Cooperation agreement between CICC and enterprises including Forte Group, Weigang Diary and Langhui Optronics; Cooperation agreement with SENKNI; Cooperation agreement between Xuzhuang High-tech Zone and Dobe Co., Ltd. (Signed electronically)

8. Launching ceremony of Nanjing-Florence Culture Week

Before the opening ceremony, at 3:30 pm, H.E. Luca Ferrari, Ambassador of Italy to the P.R.C., met with the Italian business community in Nanjing, made up of over 20 companies. 

Soon afterwards, a bilateral meeting was held between an Italian delegation and some leaders from Nanjing.

After the Opening Ceremony, the Italian Fashion Show organized by the Istituto Marangoni Shanghai with the Istituto Marangoni in Florence was then held at 6:30 pm.

We also report that the following activities will be held over the weekend:

• Gourmet Master Classes about tiramisu and risotto by Alberto Donagrandi, Italian Chef at UMAMI
• A first Chinese-Italian Musical Show, with a performance, among others, by the Italian singer Alessia Raisi
• A Chinese-Italian Food Festival
• A second Chinese-Italian Musical Show, with a performance, among others, by the Italian band Tappeti Volanti

Kind Regards, 

CICC Team