China and Italy are strengthening supply chain connectivity through cooperation between China's Hainan Province and Italy's Liguria Region, highlighted at the China International Supply Chain Expo. This year, Hainan was designated as the Guest Province of Honor, while Liguria was named the Region of Honor. Both regions serve as key gateways linking their countries to global trade networks.
Liguria has long played a significant role in logistics and international trade through its port network in Genoa, one of Italy's leading maritime hubs. According to Liguria Region President Marco Bucci, the region's location in southern Europe provides a competitive advantage for trade with China and the Far East.
Located approximately 150 kilometers from Milan and the Po Valley, Italy's industrial center, Genoa also offers access to major European markets, including Switzerland, Germany and Austria.
Alberto Pozzobon, Marketing Manager at the Western Ligurian Sea Port Authority, said imports from China account for up to 50 percent of the port's total container traffic, while exports represent around 27 percent.
According to Italy's National Institute of Statistics, bilateral trade between China and Italy reached nearly €75 billion in 2025, marking an 11 percent year-on-year increase. Liguria's participation in the China International Supply Chain Expo reflects the region's role in supporting this growth and provides an opportunity to discuss future projects.
Giampaolo Botta, General Manager of Spediporto, said €6.5 billion was invested over the past year in infrastructure projects aimed at strengthening port operations and enhancing data connectivity with strategic markets, particularly China.
Regional authorities identified logistics infrastructure and digitalization as priorities for improving competitiveness and managing trade flows more efficiently.
On the Chinese side, Hainan Free Trade Port continues to expand its role in international trade through Yangpu Port, one of the province's principal shipping hubs. The port serves more than 60 domestic and international routes, connecting Hainan with markets worldwide, including Italy.
Since the implementation of island-wide special customs operations, most imported goods can enter Hainan tariff-free, with duties applied only when products move to mainland China.
Du Chengcai, Deputy General Manager of the Production Operations Center at Hainan Harbor & Shipping International Port Co. Ltd., said container throughput at Yangpu Port increased by 66 percent year-on-year between January and May, while the number of large vessel calls reached 55.
Hainan's opening-up policies are also attracting international businesses seeking access to the Chinese market. One example is Salotto Italy-China, a project under development in Sanya that aims to serve as a platform for Italian brands, cultural exchange and business incubation.
Lisa Hu, Executive President of SALOTTO Italy-China and President of the Italy-China Business Association, said the project will include a three-story, 3,000-square-meter facility. The ground floor will showcase Italian businesses, while the upper floors will host what is planned to become the world's fourth Leonardo da Vinci Museum.
Hu noted that interest in Hainan among Italian companies and institutions has increased, with more organizations exploring opportunities to establish a presence on the island and use it as a gateway to the Chinese market.
Businesses involved in the project also see opportunities to connect Italian and Hainan supply chains through the Free Trade Port's tariff-free policies.
Alessandro Galimberti, Partner at Agrigelateria San Pé, said Hainan's fruit products could be combined with ingredients imported from Italy to create new products, citing gelato production as one example of potential cooperation.
The developments in Liguria and Hainan highlight efforts by both sides to strengthen trade links, improve logistics connectivity and support deeper integration within global supply chains.
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