Italian business figure highlights cooperation with China on industrial machinery, EV

Italy sees major business opportunities from China in areas such as industrial machinery and green energy, and the country needs Chinese electric vehicle (EV) investments to boost its auto industry, according to an Italian business figure.

China is Italy's largest trading partner in Asia and the biggest non-EU trading partner after the United States, while Italy is China's fourth-largest trading partner in the European Union (EU). Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni began her five-day visit to China on Saturday, aiming to strengthen trade relations between the two countries.

In an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN) on Wednesday, Vincenzo Raffa, vice president of the Italy-China Association of Business, shared his thoughts on potential areas for bilateral trade cooperation between the two countries. For example, he noted cooperation on industry machinery, which has been a leading export from China to Italy in recent years.

"First of all, the agricultural sector, also the pharmaceutical (sector). Because China keeps on asking for higher healthcare needs in China, and Italy can address this kind of needs. Also (industries related to) aging population both in Italy and China are really key industries. Of course, we are also talking about luxury goods, industry machinery and advanced manufacturing. Industry machinery is the number one export from China to Italy in the past years and still is. And, of course, green technology, where China is a leader for the past years and renewable energy where Europe and Italy are focusing on," said Raffa.

Despite the EU's unjustified high tariffs on Chinese EVs, Raffa said that Italy, as an EU member, actually welcomes Chinese manufacturers setting up EV production in the country to support its auto market, according to the Italian business insider.

"From one side, Europe is sending a blockage message. From the other side, Italy is saying it's okay. We are in the middle of the Mediterranean; Chinese investors can have access to the Italian market which is at the center of logistics for the entirety of Europe and Africa, so we can be partners. From the other side, the Italians are looking for a place to invest, so there are mixed messages at the moment. What we can see from an economic point of view is that actually, although there are some tariffs on auto exports from China, the concrete messages are actually opposite. The Italian government is looking for a second investor after Le Motor in Italy to produce cars in Italy, so this is actually what Europe wants. Europe wants Chinese companies to set their production in Europe and start producing in Europe to help the European market grow. So one is a political message, one is an economic message," said Raffa.

In recent months, China's visa-free policy for nationals of more countries has signaled greater openness, which is expected to attract more overseas investors, according to Raffa.

"For sure, the visa-free policy is more than welcome. For new investors or for people who want to access this incredibly flexible market, it is a good thing. I would not say that this is really shifting the foreign direct investment arena in the future or in the present. But, for sure, this portrays China as taking a more open step towards better treating foreign direct investment," he said.

Italian business figure highlights cooperation with China on industrial machinery, EV

Scenic spots were shut, crops were harvested and residents were evacuated to temporary shelters on Sunday in east China's Zhejiang Province, as the East China Sea coastal province took proactive steps to safeguard local residential communities before the arrival of Typhoon Bebica.

Typhoon Bebinca, the 13th this year, made landfall near the Chinese financial hub of Shanghai on Monday morning.

Before its landfall, the scenic spot of Haitian Yizhou (which literally means "Ocean-Heaven Shoal"), nestled on the Hangzhou Bay Cross-Sea Bridge, was abruptly closed on Sunday morning.

Unwary travelers who ventured there were promptly advised to depart, with local authorities also temporarily blocking access roads.

In Huzhou, a city of Zhejiang, gusts whipped up waves as high as two meters along the south bank of Lake Taihu on Sunday afternoon, prompting the closure of the scenic area and the safe evacuation of visitors.

Similar protective measures were enacted in Wenzhou, where a beach was closed.

To protect mature farm crops from the onslaught of Bebica, efforts have been made throughout Zhejiang to harvest those that are ripe for picking. In the city of Pinghu, farmers were seen toiling diligently to gather their ripe yields before the arrival of the typhoon.

Greenhouses across the region were reinforced to resist the battering winds and heavy rains, with meticulous drainage preparations underway to protect from waterlogging.

In Tongxiang City, farmers hastened the persimmon harvest to prevent fruit loss.

"For us, the top priority is to finish persimmons harvest before the typhoon arrives. Persimmons are heavy, and once the rain comes, they may easily fall onto the ground," said Yang Mengxian, a farmer.

The aquaculture community also sprang into action, accelerating the harvest of aquatic goods and fortifying their dwellings in key bases like Ninghai and Cixi.

As a precaution, the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs issued a directive to enhance coordination of cold storage facilities for storing freshly harvested fruits and vegetables, aiming to minimize the impact of the typhoon on agricultural production.

Temporary shelters have been put into use in Ningbo to house residents evacuated from vulnerable or dilapidated structures prone to geological disasters and flash floods.

As the Mid-autumn Festival draws near, a time for family reunions, evacuees were not only provided with essential supplies but also traditional mooncakes.

An indoor stadium of a local primary school, which has been repurposed as a temporary shelter for the first time, started to receive local residents evacuated.

"People keeps coming to this site, and locals prefers staying at this shelter when the typhoon hits. Once the rainstorm subsides, we will send them back home safe and sound," said Zhou Shanhua, manager of the temporary shelter.

To cope with Typhoon Bebica, Daishan County of Zhejiang's Zhoushan City has set up 14 temporary shelters.

The largest venue, situated within a local school, has already received over 1,500 evacuees transported from a nearby island, ensuring their safety and well-being.

East China's Zhejiang takes precautions against Typhoon Bebica

East China's Zhejiang takes precautions against Typhoon Bebica