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

Iran's Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA), the body responsible for maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, announced on Sunday that vessels violating Iranian protocols for transiting the waterway will face restrictions on their future passages.

It made the announcement in a post on social media platform X while listing some of the restrictions as "fines, detention, or confiscation."

The PGSA called on "cargo owners shipping to and from the Persian Gulf" to review the list of "Non-Compliant Vessels" on its website prior to chartering to avoid potential issues.

Meanwhile, Hassan Qashqavi, spokesman of the Iranian parliament's national security and foreign policy committee, said on Sunday that the committee has approved an article of a draft plan aimed at safeguarding security in the strait, under which the country will charge fees for the services it provides in the waterway, according to the semi-official Fars news agency.

He said that the article was approved during the committee's Sunday meeting, saying based on it, fees will be charged for the navigation, environmental services, refueling under special conditions, insurance and safety services provided by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran tightened its grip on the Strait of Hormuz on Feb. 28, barring safe passage of vessels belonging to or affiliated with Israel and the United States following their joint strikes on Iranian territory.

Iran says violating vessels to face restrictions on future passages through Hormuz Strait