Milan Design Week spotlights China-Italy auto partnership as EV transition accelerates

China-Italy auto partnership is under spotlight at the ongoing Milan Design Week, with electronic vehicles on display across the city's Chinatown, highlighting the future of mobility.

The Milan Design Week from April 20 to 26 features exhibits that explore everything from automotive and art industries to AI and robotics.

Amid rising fuel prices triggered by the conflict in the Middle East, the event focuses on the global electric transition, and China's growing role worldwide.

"Of course Chinese cars are leading the way in electrification. The percentage of electric cars in China is almost 30 percent of the total market," said Andrea Levy, president of the Milan-Monza and Turin Motor Show.

Seeking to enhance its position in the electric vehicle market, Italy is collaborating with China, combining its tradition of craftsmanship, with Chinese advances in technology and innovation.

"A lot of Chinese companies have established their research centers, design centers in Italy, in Milan and Torino -- such as Changan, such as Geely, such as even Great Wall, even Dongfeng," said Winnie Gao, secretary general of the Turin Automotive Design Award. From engineering to aesthetics, the collaboration is reshaping how the next generation of cars will look and perform.

The EU aims to phase out new petrol and diesel cars by 2035, but adoption of electric vehicles has been uneven. Italy has one of the slowest uptakes, with just 6.2 percent of market share last year.

"I think it's a kind of cultural resistance. We like the tradition and we're a little bit scared of changes. Now with electric cars, it also requires a change of attitude," said Levy.

The car show is part of the Milan Design Week, one of Italy's most prestigious cultural events. Zona Sarpi, the city's Chinatown, is a key location.

"Every year, it is more important. There are Xiaohongshu and Yadea and many important designers. Here in Zona Sarpi, Italians can learn even more about our culture," said Angela Zhou, Zona Sarpi organizer of the Milan Design Week.

Milan Design Week spotlights China-Italy auto partnership as EV transition accelerates

Residents from Colombian capital city of Bogota expressed their gratitude to China's humanitarian aid supplies for the country's quake-affected communities after a shipment of 80-tonne relief supplies arrived on Tuesday.

A magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck western Colombia on Aug 10. The death toll from the quake had risen to 304, with 4,548 people injured and 426 others missing, the country's disaster management agency said Tuesday.

The items, including generators, mobile water purification vehicles, medical disinfection gears, solar-powered lights, tents, and blankets, are urgently needed in the country which is facing the enormous challenge of relief and reconstruction.

"This is excellent. The earthquake was devastating and we are thankful to China and everyone who is helping and putting their grain of sand," said Raimundo Montemiranda, a security guard.

"Thankful to this help, and any help is going to be helpful from people and countries. This is solidarity and the unity of the world," said Eduardo Prieto, an insurance salesman.

Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella said Monday night that about one-third of Colombia had been affected by the quake, which was centered in San Jose del Palmar in the department of Choco.

He said preliminary estimates put direct economic losses from the earthquake at nearly 30 trillion Colombian pesos (about 9.6 billion U.S. dollars), including 24.5 trillion pesos in building damage and 5.5 trillion pesos in infrastructure damage.

Domestic and international humanitarian aid are both keeping pouring into the hardest-hit areas while search and rescue teams are still working in places where people may remain trapped under the rubble.

Bogota residents express gratitude to China's quake relief supplies for Colombia