The Italian Chamber of Commerce in China (CCIC) is pleased to invite you to participate in the 15th edition of the Panda D’Oro Gala Awards as contestants to win the Panda D’Oro Prizes. The Awards Ceremony will be held on Thursday, June 18th, 2026 in Shanghai.
A total of eleven (10+1) prizes shall be awarded based on the guidelines detailed below.
Each Italian company is going to be awarded with a prize, as a member of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in China. One final award will be presented to Chinese companies that contributed significantly to the development of economic growth and relations between Italy and China.
Prizes are aimed at recognizing efficiency, best practices, and remarkable results of Italian Companies which have investments and a meaningful presence in China, and of Chinese Companies that have investments and a meaningful presence in Italy.
To be rewarded will be not only companies that have increased their competitiveness on the Chinese market, but also those that have invested in innovation, represented the excellence of Made in Italy, or implemented strategies with a sustainable impact on business, society and the environment - just to mention a few of the award categories.
The winning companies will be announced at the Gala Awards ceremony on June 18th, a unique event that gathers entrepreneurs and representatives from both Italian and Chinese institutions, widely covered by the Italian and Chinese Press, to raise awareness about Italian business in China.
REASONS TO APPLY FOR THE AWARD
- Increase your visibility by showcasing your best initiatives and demonstrating your added value to the Italian community in China;
- Show pride in your achievements and motivate your stakeholders and employees;
- Meet high-level representatives from all industry sectors;
- Help your business gain recognition and establish yourself as a responsible leader in your respective industries;
- Benefit from extensive media and industry coverage for your company.
ELIGIBILITY
The contest is OPEN ONLY to active Members or Friends of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in China. For those Companies which have not renewed their membership yet or are willing to join the CCIC and submit their candidacy for one of the Panda d’Oro Awards, please contact sh.gala@cameraitacina.com. The window will be kept open till June 4th.
A total of 11 prizes (10+1) will be awarded, as outlined below:
Ten prizes will be awarded to Italian companies that are members of the Italian Chamber of Commerce. Each Italian company may apply for a maximum of two categories out of the ten available.
One additional prize, the China-Italy Partnership Award, will be awarded to a Chinese company that has made a significant contribution to the development of economic relations between Italy and China.
The participation in the competition to win one of the awards is free of charge. However, to attend the Awarding Ceremony on 18th of June at the W Hotel in Shanghai, it is necessary to buy a ticket. Moreover, it is also possible to buy a corporate table or sponsor the event, to have some free tickets for the event included.
More information about the Sponsorship Opportunities is available here.
Do not forget to purchase your tickets here.
AWARDS CATEGORIES 2026 - EVALUATING 2025 PERFORMANCES
Deadline for applications 5th June 2026.
Panda d’Oro Award
The iconic award of the evening, dedicated to the Italian company that generated the strongest strategic impact in the Chinese market during 2025 through investments, growth, and structured presence. It represents Italian entrepreneurial excellence successfully expanding in China with a long-term vision.
Subcategories
A) Major Investment of the Year
B) SME Growth Champion in China
Innovation & Technology Award
Awarded to the Italian company that has demonstrated outstanding innovation and technological advancement in the Chinese market. The award recognizes companies that have developed or successfully applied innovative technologies, products, business models, or digital strategies, contributing to transformation, competitiveness, and growth. It highlights achievements across areas such as artificial intelligence, digital transformation, advanced manufacturing, and clean technologies, including electric mobility and sustainable solutions. It also acknowledges the effective use of digital platforms, data-driven approaches, and innovative customer engagement strategies.
The award celebrates companies that are driving progress through innovation—enhancing efficiency, enabling new capabilities, and creating long-term value across industries.
Sustainability & ESG Impact Award
Awarded to the Italian company that has demonstrated outstanding commitment to sustainability in China through ESG practices, implementing strategies which had a real impact on business, society and environment. The award recognizes companies that successfully combine business growth with measurable environmental and social impact, setting a benchmark for sustainable development.
Made in Italy Heritage Award
Awarded to the Italian company — and, where applicable, the professional team that supported it — that has most effectively protected, enhanced, or brought back to prominence a technology, design, intellectual property, or craft tradition that is distinctively Italian and was challenged by competitors in the Chinese market. The award recognizes initiatives that safeguard and reinforce the value of “Made in Italy” as a unique ecosystem of knowledge, creativity, and expertise, particularly in highly competitive environments. It highlights the joint efforts of companies and their supporting partners — including legal advisors, IP specialists, and R&D teams — in defending authenticity, preserving heritage, and ensuring the long-term value of Italian excellence in China.
Italy Experience & Talent Development Award
Awarded to the Italian company that has most effectively promoted Italy as a source of inspiration, knowledge, and experience for the Chinese market. The award recognizes companies that have successfully leveraged Italy not only as a destination for tourism, culture, or lifestyle, but also as a platform for talent development, training, and cross-cultural exchange. It highlights initiatives such as cross-cultural leadership programmes, study tours, cultural projects, or knowledge-transfer activities that strengthen the connection between China and Italy while creating long-term value for people and businesses.
Italian Design & Architecture Award
Awarded to the Italian architectural firm, interior design studio, or design practice that has most powerfully projected Italian aesthetic heritage and creative vision in the Chinese built environment — through buildings, interiors, urban spaces, exhibitions or product design. The award recognizes projects that have shaped spaces and experiences through architecture, interior design, urban planning, exhibition design, or spatial innovation, contributing to the transformation of cities, workplaces, and cultural or commercial environments. It highlights the ability to translate Italian design culture into impactful physical spaces that combine aesthetics, functionality, and cultural identity.
Italian Excellence Award
Awarded to the Italian company that has most successfully represented and elevated Made in Italy excellence in the Chinese market, particularly across fashion, retail, luxury, and premium lifestyle sectors. The award recognizes brands that have translated Italian aesthetics, craftsmanship, and quality into strong market positioning and consumer appeal in China. It highlights companies that have built desirability and brand equity through compelling retail strategies, distinctive customer experience, and a clear and consistent brand identity.
Italian Taste Award
Awarded to the company that has made itself the ambassador of Italian food and wine excellence on the Chinese market and has succeeded best in conveying the concept of Italian "hospitality", promoting genuine and authentic products.
China Market Debut Award
Awarded to the Italian company that has made its official entry into the Chinese market in 2025, demonstrating strong strategic intent, commitment, and the beginning of a structured market presence. The award recognizes Italian companies that have recently launched their operations in China and have taken their first concrete steps to build a long-term presence, through investment, partnerships, or commercial development. It celebrates the courage and vision of companies entering one of the world’s most dynamic and competitive markets.
China as a Gateway to Asia Award
Awarded to the Italian company that has successfully expanded across Asian markets by leveraging China as a strategic platform. The award recognizes companies that have built a strong and structured presence in China while using it as a base to scale their operations into other Asian markets, demonstrating clear regional vision, execution capability, and long-term growth strategy.
China-Italy Partnership Award
Awarded to the Chinese company that has made an outstanding contribution to strengthening economic and industrial cooperation between China and Italy. The award recognizes companies that have actively fostered bilateral collaboration through investments in Italy, industrial partnerships, joint ventures, or strategic support to Italian companies. It highlights initiatives that generate mutual value, promote knowledge exchange, and contribute to the long-term development of sustainable and meaningful business relationships between the two countries.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at sh.gala@cameraitacina.com
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Contestants must send the “Application Form” by e-mail (duly filled in all its parts in English) and any other additional reference materials to the CCIC (Shanghai Office)at sh.gala@cameraitacina.com by June 5th, 2026, h.18:00 Beijing time.
To submit your application please send the following material:
Application Form well filled in in English;
Company logo (JPG and AI format);
Short corporate promotional video of your company (1 min. max)
Any documents which the applicant might deem useful to further sustain his nomination should be included in the application to be considered by the Jury.
N.B. All submitted materials, including financial information, cannot be modified after submission.
The “application form” and any other additional reference materials provided, including financial information, shall not be modified at a later stage.
PLEASE NOTE that all information shared with the Italian Chamber of Commerce in China will remain strictly confidential and will be used for awarding purposes only.
For further information, do not hesitate to contact us atsh.gala@cameraitacina.com
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FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
How many categories can a company apply for?
Each Italian company can apply for a maximum of two categories out of the available ten categories for Italian companies. Each Chinese company can only apply for the China-Italy partnership Award, exclusively dedicated to Chinese companies.
What are the eligibility requirements to apply?
Only active Members or Friends of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in China (CCIC) can apply.
N.B. For those Companies which have not renewed their membership yet or are willing to join the CCIC and submit their candidacy for one of the Panda d’Oro Awards, please contact sh.gala@cameraitacina.com. The window will be kept open till June 4th.
What materials need to be submitted for the application?
Application Form well filled in in English;
Company logo (JPG and AI format);
Short corporate promotional video of your company (1 min. max)
Any documents which the applicant might deem useful to further sustain his nomination should be included in the application in order to be considered by the Jury.
N.B. All submitted materials, including financial information, cannot be modified after submission.
Participation in the Awards contest and attendance to the Gala event are both totally free?
The participation in the competition to win one of the awards is free of charge. However, to attend the Awarding Ceremony on 18 June at the W Hotel in Shanghai, it is necessary to buy a ticket. Moreover, it is also possible to buy a corporate table or sponsor the event, to have some free tickets for the event included.
