On January 23rd, 2026, the Italian Chamber of Commerce in China (CCIC), in collaboration with the Italian Cultural Institute in Beijing and the Embassy of Italy to the P.R.C., hosted the presentation of the book “The Italian Chamber of Commerce in China: Documents from the Historical-Diplomatic Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 1903–1924” followed by the CCIC Members’ Meeting at the Italian Cultural Institute in Beijing. The event was held in the presence of the Ambassador of Italy to the P.R.C., H.E. Massimo Ambrosetti, alongside Chinese and Italian participants.
After the welcome remarks of Federico R. Antonelli, Director of the Italian Cultural Institute in Beijing, Lorenzo Riccardi, Chairman of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in China and Stefano Piastra, Professor at the University of Bologna introduced the book “The Italian Chamber of Commerce in China: Documents from the Historical-Diplomatic Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 1903–1924”.
The book offers an invaluable collection of previously unpublished documents preserved in the Historical-Diplomatic Archives of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Rome. The documents provide an insightful view into the economic, diplomatic, and social interactions between Italy and China during the early 20th century, spanning from 1903 to 1924. Lorenzo Riccardi and Stefano Piastra took the audience on a journey through the history embedded in these documents, discussing how they reveal the complexities of Italian-Chinese relations during China’s transition from the Qing Dynasty to the Republic of China.
Following the book presentation, Renzo Isler, Chairman of Generali China Insurance Co. Ltd, gave a historical overview of Generali China, discussing the company’s legacy in the region and its ties to Italy-China business relations.
The second half of the event featured the CCIC Members’ Meeting. Fabrizio Costa, Secretary General of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in China, and Federica Viggiani, Deputy Secretary General of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in China and Head of the Beijing Office, presented the 2026 Activity Plan, Members Services and Strategic Objectives for 2026.
They outlined key priorities for the upcoming year, with a focus on enhancing support for businesses, strengthening institutional dialogue, and expanding territorial presence across China. This session provided members with valuable insights into the CCIC’s initiatives, fostering an open dialogue on how the Chamber can continue to serve as a vital conduit for promoting bilateral economic and cultural exchanges between Italy and China.
