In order to actively prepare for participation in the eighth edition of the China International Import Expo (CIIE) and to deepen economic, commercial, and cultural cooperation between China and Italy, the Italian Innovation Center delegation recently paid a courtesy visit to the city of Palmi, in the Calabria region. The purpose of the mission was to invite the municipal government of Palmi and local institutions to participate in CIIE 2025 and to join the Italian Innovation Center pavilion, with the aim of jointly presenting the region's excellence and Italy's innovative achievements.

During the visit, Deputy Mayor Solidea Schipilliti and Director of the Tourism Department Giuseppe Magazzù enthusiastically accepted the invitation from the Italian Innovation Center, expressing their high appreciation for the role the Center has played over the years in promoting economic and cultural cooperation between China and Italy. The two sides discussed in depth possible ways of collaborating on the next edition of the CIIE. Representatives of the Palmi government expressed their willingness to actively participate in the joint construction of the pavilion and related cultural promotion initiatives.

In a warm and friendly atmosphere, the Italian Innovation Center simultaneously launched the interactive cultural activity “Letters of friendship as a bridge of trust.” As a significant moment of the visit, the initiative used postcards depicting cultural symbols of China and Italy, on which both sides wrote messages of good wishes, expressing their best expectations for the CIIE and sincere feelings of friendship between the two countries.

Deputy Mayor Solidea Schipilliti and Councilor Giuseppe Magazzù wrote their own messages of good wishes on the postcards, wishing the eighth CIIE every success and expressing their desire to personally visit the Italian Innovation Center pavilion in Shanghai to witness the new fruits of Sino-Italian cooperation together with guests from all over the world. Their sincere wishes not only testify to the confidence and support of Italian local governments towards China's opening platform, but also add a note of warmth to the human exchanges between the two countries.

The president of the Italian Innovation Center, Mr. Xu Shunwu, said during the event: "Through the ‘Letters of Friendship as a Bridge of Trust’ initiative, we want to strengthen the emotional ties between the peoples of China and Italy, and encourage more local governments and Italian companies to learn about China, enter the market, and collaborate for shared development. The CIIE is not only an exhibition showcase, but also an extension of trust and friendship."

It is hoped that, at the next CIIE, the Italian Innovation Center will continue to integrate the resources of the various Italian territories, interpreting the spirit of the event with concrete actions: “Openness, co-creation, and shared prosperity.”