The Italian Chamber of Commerce in China (CCIC) was pleased to support the Confindustria Romagnadelegation, comprising 26 members from 18 companies and led by Pierluigi Alessandri, Vice President of Confindustria Romagna, and Lara Piraccini, Manager of Internationalization Services. The eight-day exploratory mission covered East and South China, aiming to gain insights into the development of the Chinese market and its business ecosystems.
The visit began in Shanghai on May 11th, where the delegation was welcomed at BonfiglioliShanghai Co. by Angelo Pescari, Operations Director Bonfiglioli China and by Lorenzo Bali, CCIC Vice President in Suzhou and VP Pelliconi Suzhou & Changzhou, who introduced the framework of the Italian business community in China and shared Pelliconi’s experience in the market.
The visit also featured contributions from representatives of leading Italian companies operating locally, including Mario Huang, General Manager of Intesa Sanpaolo Bank Shanghai Branch, Riccardo Budriesi, President of Marposs Shanghai and Coordinator of CCIC MEWG, and Fabio Lambertini, CEO Ducati China. Each speaker presented an overview of their company’s activities, offering valuable perspectives on operating in the Chinese market, as well as insights into emerging business opportunities and challenges.
On the afternoon of May 11th and throughout May 14th, the CCIC Shanghai team supported the delegation through a comprehensive agenda of company visits and institutional meetings, fostering direct engagement with firms operating in strategic sectors across the Yangtze River Delta region. The program included site visits to Flexiv Robotics Technology, located in Shanghai Zizhu High-Tech Park, a global leader in advanced robotics known for its pioneering innovations in adaptive robotic systems, as well as to AGIBOT Co., located in the Pudong New Area, a company committed to driving innovation through the integration of AI and robotics.
On May 12th, the visit continued at the headquarters of Unitree Robotics in Hangzhou. The company specializes in smart devices, quadruped robots, smart fitness equipment, LiDAR technologies, and humanoid robots. At noon, the delegation was warmly welcomed by Yang Jinkun, Vice President of Zhejiang Overseas Friendship Association.
On May 13th, the delegation continued its visit in Jiaxing with tours of Chint Electric Group, a global provider of intelligent energy system solutions, and Minth Group, a publicly listed international company specializing in the design, production, and sale of automotive components.
The visits were supported by the Jiaxing Nanhu District Government, represented by Xu Gang, Deputy Mayor of Nanhu District Jiaxing Municipality.
Later in the afternoon of May 13th, a dedicated meeting with the Italian business community was held on the 20th floor of The Center, Shanghai. The session opened with welcome remarks by Stefania Mortelliti, Commercial Consul of Italy in Shanghai,Mattia Marino, CCIC Vice President in Shanghai, Fabio De Cillis, Trade Commissioner ITA Shanghai Office, Donato Roberto Morea, Director of SACE Shanghai Office, and Pierluigi Alessandri, Vice President of Confindustria Romagna. Representatives of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in China were also present, further reinforcing the Chamber’s role in fostering dialogue within the Italian business community. During the session, members of the Confindustria Romagna delegation introduced themselves and presented the companies they represented.
On May 14th, the visit continued at the Embodied Robotics (Kunshan) Innovation Center, which focuses on supply chain localization and innovation applied to a wide range of use cases, and at Start-Up Factory (SUF) Kunshan Company, the only industrial co-working space in China dedicated to European manufacturing SMEs. The Confindustria Romagna delegation concluded its mission with a visit to the headquarters of Xiaohongshu in Shanghai, one of China’s most influential social commerce platforms.
Following the Yangtze River Delta agenda, the delegation travelled to South China from May 14th onwards. The CCIC South China team accompanied the delegation throughout a high-level institutional and corporate visit program across Guangzhou, Foshan, andShenzhen, with the aim of exploring the industrial ecosystem, advanced manufacturing sector, and digital economy landscape of the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area.
On May 15th, the delegation began its South China program with visits to leading high-tech enterprises in Guangzhou. The morning session focused on XPENG, a benchmark company in the global smart mobility sector. The delegation was officially welcomed by Sven V. R. De Smet, head of Brand & Marketing for XPeng Europe, who delivered a comprehensive corporate presentation covering XPENG’s intelligent vehicle technologies, industrial, and global development strategy.
The delegation then toured the XPENG Showroom and the ADRIGE Showroom, gaining firsthand insights into local intelligent manufacturing supply chains and cutting-edge automotive solutions.
In the afternoon of the same day, the delegation continued its technological exploration at EHang, a world-leading company specializing in autonomous aerial vehicles and the low-altitude economy. The delegation witnessed a live outdoor aircraft take-off demonstration, followed by an in-depth presentation of the company’s cutting-edge drone technologies, showcasing EHang’s advanced commercial application capabilities in the field of urban air mobility.
On May 16th, the delegation attended an exclusive institutional meeting at SACMIin Foshan, one of the most successful Italian manufacturing enterprises with a well-established presence in South China. The event was honored by the participation of Cataldo Cianciaruso, Deputy Consul General of Italy in Guangzhou, who delivered an insightful speech outlining the economic outlook of South China, the current status of Italian enterprises in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area, and future industrial cooperation trends between Italy and Guangdong.
Subsequently, Pierluigi Alessandri,Vice President of Confindustria Romagna, introduced the delegation’s industrial profile and cooperation objectives. This was followed by a corporate presentation from Luca Tamburini, General Manager of SACMI. The program concluded with an in-depth factory tour of SACMI, allowing participants to gain comprehensive insights into the company’s advanced production technologies, localized management system, and industrial layout optimization.
In the afternoon of the same day, the delegation conducted an institutional exchange at the Guangzhou Development District (Huangpu District). The delegation held in-depth discussions with Dominique Li, Chairman of GDD Huangpu,and Fanic Zeng, Deputy GM of GDD Huangpu, focusing on investment policies, industrial planning, and support measures for foreign-invested enterprises in Huangpu District. The exchange provided a comprehensive overview of the district’s business environment and its innovation-driven development advantages. Following Fanic, Lorenzo Riccardi, Chair of the EU SME Center, briefly introduced how the Center helps European SMEs establish a foothold and grow in China.
On May 17th, the delegation visited Huawei in Shenzhen for corporate exchanges. The team held a closed-door meeting with Huawei’s senior sales management, focusing on technological innovation, cross-border cooperation, and industrial digital transformation solutions. The delegation then toured the Huawei flagship showroom, gaining insights into the company’s latest advancements in 5G, artificial intelligence, cloud infrastructure, and intelligent terminals, which further deepened their understanding of China’s high-end technology industrial ecosystem.
On May 18th, the final day of the China mission, the delegation continued its corporate exchange itinerary in South China with a visit to Tencent, a leading company in China’s digital economy sector. The delegation was warmly received by Tencent’s international business team, including Valentino Luccini, Tencent Senior Legal Counsel, and Kimmy Chu, Tencent Cloud International Strategy Director, who delivered professional briefings on-site. The exchange focused on the company’s digital ecosystem strategy, industrial internet applications, and technological innovation initiatives. The visit provided the delegation with a clear understanding of the development trends and core strengths of China’s digital and internet industry.
The delegation then visited Beike Biotech, a leading national high-tech enterprise specializing in stem cell storage, biotechnology innovation, and translational medical applications within China’s life sciences sector. The delegation was warmly received by Beike Biotech’s senior international team, including Enrico Bisello, Chief Operating Officer, who provided professional on-site briefings. The visit offered the delegation a comprehensive overview of the development landscape and technological strengths of China’s regenerative medicine industry.
Covering the Yangtze River Delta and the Greater Bay Area, this cross-regional mission facilitated valuable exchanges on business innovation and bilateral cooperation. We sincerely thank Confindustria Romagna, local government institutions, and all participating enterprises for their support, insights and hospitality.
Moving forward, the Italian Chamber of Commerce in China will continue to support Italian enterprises across key Chinese regions, delivering targeted activities to foster networking, strengthen bilateral ties and drive sustainable cooperation between Italy and China.
