ECOMONDO CHINA, AN OPPORTUNITY TO STRENGTHEN RELATIONS BETWEEN ROME AND BEJING

“Over the past year and a half, relations between Italy and China have seen a strong, all-encompassing revival, starting with Minister Tajani’s visit in 2023, followed by two highly significant political visits from Prime Minister Meloni and the President of the Republic Mattarella”. Now the hope is that “dialogue with Beijing will continue and be strengthened. As a consulate, our commitment is to locally support initiatives that foster collaboration, such as this one”.
This was the expectation expressed by Italy’s Consul General in Chongqing, Fabio Schina, during the 19th edition of Ecomondo China CDEPE, which took place from 1st to 3rd April at the New Conference and Exhibition Centre in Chengdu, Sichuan province. 

ITALIAN EXPORTS TO CHINA

The figures speak for themselves.
“Italian exports to China performed strongly in the first eleven months of 2024, rising by 7.1% compared to the same period in 2023, and a value of approximately 2.35 billion euros,” explains Federica Galli, Deputy Trade Commissioner for the Italian Trade Agency in Beijing.
“China is the sixth-largest destination for Italian exports in green technologies and the only one of China’s suppliers with a positive figure. Among the best-performing sectors are air purification and energy efficiency”. 
 

THE SUCCESS OF ECOMONDO CHINA 

Further confirmation of this is the interest shown in the Italian Exhibition Group’s flagship event on ecological transition and circular economy: there was a good number of Chinese participants alongside a substantial Italian delegation, led by ITA and featuring 14 companies.
“We have brought Italian excellence to explore potential partnerships and clients in Western China, fostering synergies between Italian and Chinese companies,” said Ilaria Cevoli, International Project Manager of Ecomondo China CDEPE, speaking with Renewable Matter. 

“There is great admiration for what Italy is doing,” noted Gao Lin, President of the Sichuan Environmental Protection Industry Association, during a panel discussion on the circular economy moderated by Renewable Matter. “Collaboration between our countries will be a building block in achieving the Dual Carbon Goal”. 

“I also attended Ecomondo in Italy to explore new technologies to be implemented in our industrial parks, and I believe these kinds of meetings are crucial here in China as well," said Luo Jialong of Herrel Environmental Protection Industrial Company, a major player in urban waste management. "Collaboration is essential—we all share the same planet”. 
 

ITALY AND CHINA: THE FUTURE OUTLOOK

An event like Ecomondo China has “the potential to become a major catalyst for the growth of relations and exchanges between the two countries, especially at a time of intense trade tensions sparked by the United States,” said Alessandra Astolfi, Global Exhibition Director of the Green & Technology Division at Italian Exhibition Group Spa.
“Our commitment is to strengthen and expand the event in the coming years, turning it into a key forum for dialogue between the two nations on topics such as the green economy, decarbonisation, and circular economy—a reference point not only for Italy but for the whole of Europe”. 

According to Astolfi’s opinion, “a clear industrial and commercial relationship will continue to develop between Europe and China, underpinned by the multilateral goals of the Paris Agreement, UN conventions on biodiversity, and pollution treaties. Italy has long been a leader in high-level technologies and solutions in resource recovery and waste management, and it has always been one of the most admired countries in China. It can, therefore, play a clear role as an ambassador and representative in this field. Ecomondo is ready to fulfil its role as a place for meetings and exchange”. 
 

SICHUAN, AN EXCELLENT GATEWAY TO THE REST OF THE COUNTRY

While major companies in the renewable energy and circular economy sectors are often concentrated in the large industrial hubs along China’s coast, the southwest, where Sichuan is located, is an important geographical area that is developing, not only in manufacturing but also in scientific research and technological development. 

Zhong Qi, Deputy Director of the Investment Promotion Department of Jintang County, outlined the strategic advantages for Italian companies that are considering expansion into China:
“The region is well connected to the China-Europe rail corridor, allowing for goods transport in around 12 days, and benefits from the presence of the Tianfu airport, a major hub located less than 45 minutes from Chengdu and close to Jintang’s new industrial zone”, a vast area of over 60 km² that will house an industrial park focused on the “new quality productive forces” and “new energy”.
A “Green Valley New Material Industrial Park” will be created, centred around renewable energy, particularly batterie and photovoltaic energy, alongside technologies aimed at reducing environmental impacts, energy efficiency and circular economy. 

In Sichuan, historically considered one of China's breadbaskets, as Consul Schina pointed out, “there is also great potential for agrifood and all organic waste: just think that the capital Chengdu, with 20 million inhabitants, has about 700,000 restaurants”.  

This province, therefore, is “an excellent gateway to the rest of the country, firmly committed to the objectives of the Dual Carbon Strategy”, concluded Federica Galli. “With the 2030 emissions peak target fast approaching, now is the time to look to China for green technologies”. 

Article written by Emanuele Bompan

This Blog is an editorial project developed by Ecomondo with Materia Rinnovabile.