27–28 March 2026 | Italy–China dialogue on innovation, business, and networking in Guangzhou

The Greater Bay Area—and in particular the city of Guangzhou—took center stage in a series of initiatives promoted by the Italian Chamber of Commerce in China (CCIC), aimed at strengthening economic dialogue between Italy and China and highlighting the contribution of Made in Italy in an increasingly innovation-driven landscape.

The program began on March 27 with a day of company visits involving a group of around 30 representatives from Italian companies operating in China. Participants had the opportunity to visit two leading companies in their respective sectors: EHang, one of China’s key players in advanced air mobility and the so-called “low-altitude economy,” and EssilorLuxottica, a global leader in eyewear and vision care. The visits provided a valuable opportunity for direct exchange with cutting-edge industrial models and technological development strategies.

The highlight of the program took place on March 28 with the GBA Business Conference 2026, titled “AI Innovation and Human Creativity,” which brought together a diverse audience of institutional representatives, academics, and business leaders from both Italy and China. The event offered a high-level platform to examine the impact of artificial intelligence on global economic dynamics and to identify new opportunities for bilateral cooperation.

Opening remarks were delivered by the Ambassador of Italy to the PRC, H.E. Massimo Ambrosetti; CCIC President Lorenzo Riccardi; CCPIT Guangzhou Vice President Liu Zewu; and European Union Chamber of Commerce in China Vice President Gianni Di Giovanni.

Throughout the discussions, the strength of Italy–China economic and trade relations clearly emerged, along with a shared understanding of artificial intelligence as a crucial transformative force. Guangzhou, in particular, was highlighted as one of the key engines of the Greater Bay Area, capable of driving the integration between the digital and real economy through significant investments and dedicated AI development programs.

The opening keynote, delivered by Francesco Pensabene, Italian Trade Commissioner for China and Mongolia, provided an updated overview of trends in China’s foreign trade, highlighting new prospects for bilateral exchanges in a rapidly evolving global landscape.

Among the most significant moments of the day, the first panel—“From Disruption to the New Framework: Redesigning the China–Italy Business Playbook in the Age of AI”—featured a discussion between Prof. Giovanni Tria, former Minister of Economy and Finance, and Prof. Fan Gang of Peking University, moderated by Mattia Marino (The European House Ambrosetti). The debate explored how artificial intelligence is reshaping economic models, value chains, and business strategies, emphasizing the need for increasingly flexible and innovation-oriented approaches.

The second keynote, delivered by Prof. Giovanni Emanuele Corazza of the University of Bologna, introduced the concept of cyber-creativity as a key element for the future of Italy–China collaboration. The speech underscored that artificial intelligence should not be seen as a substitute, but rather as a tool capable of enhancing human creativity. In what was described as a “post-informational” context, skills such as creativity, adaptability, and entrepreneurial mindset are emerging as crucial factors for long-term competitiveness.

The second panel, focused on Italian and European SMEs operating in the Greater Bay Area, featured Franco Fornari (Wang Jing & GH Law Firm), Simone Ciampi (Exprivia Asia), and Fabian Blake (European Union Chamber of Commerce in China), moderated by Liam Ziqi Jia (EU SME Centre). The discussion provided practical insights into topics such as digital transformation, regulatory frameworks, and market entry strategies, while also highlighting the need for targeted support policies to facilitate AI adoption among small and medium-sized enterprises.

The day concluded with the CCIC Spring Gala Dinner, a networking and celebratory moment that further strengthened connections among participants in a more informal setting, bringing to a close two days rich in content and opportunities. CCIC sincerely thanks VFS Global, Fiera Del Levante, EssilorLuxottica, and all other sponsors, partners, performers and guests for their contributions.

Through initiatives such as the GBA Business Conference, CCIC confirms its role as a key platform for promoting economic dialogue between Italy and China, contributing to the creation of new synergies in an increasingly interconnected world driven by technological innovation.