“Xi’an Italian Week” | Promoting the Sino-Italian Cultural Exchange with 7 days full of exciting activities, forums and performances related to Italian culture and lifestyle

12 May 2021

Dear Members and Friends,

On April 30th, the "Xi'an Italian Week" was officially launched under the patronage of Xi'an Hi-Tech Zone Management Committee and Italy-China Foundation, with the support of China-Italy Chamber of Commerce, and sponsored by Chic Investment Group to launch the Chic European Center in Xi’an, a key project that is going to gather the most advanced European companies and international talents, as to push forward the internationalization of Xi’an.

The 7 days event, from April 30th to May 6th was held in Xi'an Hi-tech Zone, Jiahuifang and it was a great opportunity for more than 10,000 locals and foreigners who came to experience a touch of Italian culture, art and lifestyle. During the seven days, total 22 Chinese and Italian vendors joined the event and more than 10 activities were organized in order to deepen cultural and economic exchanges.

Chinese and Italian institutional representatives witnessed the opening event, including Ms Ma Xianping, Deputy Mayor of Xi'an Municipality and Party Secretary of the Working Committee of the High-tech Zone welcomed Min. Emanuele de Maigret, Minister Counselor and Head of the Economic and Commercial Office of the Italian Embassy in China, and other representatives of Italian institutions including Director Gianpaolo Bruno, Trade Commissioner and Coordinator of ITA Offices in China and Mongolia in Beijing, Mr Lorenzo Riccardi, Board Member of China-Italy Chamber of Commerce, Mr Massimo Bagnasco, Vice Chairman of European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, Ms Helen Tu, Board Member of Italy China Foundation. Among the Chinese officials and representatives that welcomed the Italian delegation were: Ms Wang Qinghua, Director of Xi’an Culture and Tourism Bureau, Ms Li Xiaoyan, Deputy Director of Xi’an Foreign Affairs Office, Mr Xia Peng, Vice Chairman of Xi’an Council for the Promotion of International Trade, Mr Qi Haibing, Deputy Secretary of the Party Working Committee and Director of the High-Tech Zone Italy, Mr Yang Hua, Deputy Director of the Hi-Tech Zone Management Committee, as well as Mr Marcello Tsai, CEO of Chic Group, organizer of the event.

Before the opening ceremony of the event, Ms Ma Xianping, Deputy Mayor of Xi'an and Secretary of the Party Working Committee of the Hi-Tech Zone, hosted the Italian delegation with a welcome meeting, encouraging more initiatives for common exchanges and cooperation, in the fields of culture and tourism, technology innovation and e-commerce.

Min. de Maigret thanked the Deputy Mayor Ms Ma for the warm welcome of Xi’an Hi-Tech Zone and for the support to the organization of the Xi’an Italian Week. Min. de Maigret mentioned that culture and tourism, technology innovation and e-commerce are all sectors in which Italy is making great effort to consolidate the cooperation with Chinese institutions and companies. In fact, Min. de Maigret reminded that Italy will be represented by Director Bruno during the approaching of the Fifth Silk Road International Expo that will be held in Xi’an from May 11th to 15th, 2021. In addition, next year it will be also the Sino-Italian Year of Culture and Tourism, that for sure will open to more opportunities of cooperation in this field between the two countries. Lastly, in recent years Italy has signed different cooperations with Chinese biggest e-commerce platform to better promote Made in Italy products.

After the greeting meeting, Chinese leaders and Italian guests proceeded with the Opening Ceremony of the Xi’an Italian Week.

Mr Qi Haibing, Deputy Secretary of the Party Working Committee and Director of the Management Committee of the Hi-tech Zone, said in his speech that the "Xi'an Italian Week" is another step forward in the cooperation between Italy and Xi’an Hi-Tech Zone, thanks to the close cooperation with Chic Investment and Italy China Foundation, to strengthen cultural, economic and trade cooperation under the framework of the "Belt and Road" initiative.

Mr Emanuele de Maigret, Minister Counselor of the Italian Embassy in China and head of the Economic and Commercial Office, gave a speech during the ceremony remarking the importance of such initiatives providing enriching contents for China-Italy exchanges in Xi’an, and enhancing the international environment of Xi’an’s economy, culture, tourism and art.

Sino-Italian Open-Air Market

For getting an experience of the Italian elegant lifestyle

The Sino-Italian Open-Air Market was the most popular activity among visitors. Realized thanks to the cooperation with Cristina Corsini, Coordinator of China Italy Chamber of Commerce Food & Beverage Working Group. Overall, 22 Chinese and Italian brands and companies took part in the event enriching the range of products and services provided. The variety of the exhibitors’ sectors included food (Good Italy, Il Milione, Mediterranean Kitchen, Alce Nero, Dang Ge, Italian Restaurant Fiore di Zucca, Pizzeria Acquolina, VORO Italian Gelato, Ciao Fuer, Shanshisan), wine (Bussola, Yishe Fines Wines – The Making Art Management Ltd), coffee (Costadoro), Chinese tea (Jingyang Fuzhuan tea), cosmetics (WiQo), sports (Ride Like a Pro), car (Maserati) and motorbike (Vespa-Piaggio), luxury goods (Chic Mall Hongkong), mechanical (Ariston).