Eurispes President Gian Maria Fara speaks at the presentation of the Italy-China Blue Book 2025-2026
On 22 July, Beijing hosted the presentation of the “Report on the Development of Italy (Blue Book on Italy) 2025-2026“, accompanied by a seminar on “China-Italy Cooperation in the Context of a Rapidly Evolving Global Competitive Landscape“. The event was attended by dozens of Chinese and Italian experts and scholars, including Zhao Lan, Secretary of the Communist Party of China Committee of the Institute of European Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), and Gian Maria Fara, President of Eurispes. Participants exchanged views on topics such as economic and trade exchanges between China and Italy, technological innovation and cultural exchanges, seeking new avenues to strengthen cooperation between the two countries and to broaden that between China and the European Union.
The Blue Book on Italy has now reached its seventh edition. Each year, the volume provides a systematic overview of Italy’s political, economic, social and diplomatic situation and of progress in bilateral relations.
In her address, Zhao Lan stated that, as the profound changes unseen in a century gather pace, relations between China and the European Union are entering a phase in which competition and cooperation are intertwined. China and Italy, as representatives of Eastern and Western civilisation respectively, are comprehensive strategic partners and share broad common interests and a solid foundation for cooperation. Over the past two years, various sectors of Chinese and Italian society have actively promoted the implementation of the “Action Plan for Strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (2024-2027)”, and cooperation has made steady progress in all fields. Zhao Lan expressed the hope that academic circles and think tanks on both sides would continue to deepen their dialogue, making an even greater contribution to rendering the China-Italy comprehensive strategic partnership ever more solid and substantive.
As the long-standing principal partner think tank of the Blue Book on Italy, Eurispes has contributed to the report for seven consecutive years. In his video message, Gian Maria Fara stressed that global challenges such as climate change, social and demographic transformations and the effects of digital change know no national borders: China and Italy should build a bridge of trust through academic exchanges, foster a culture of inclusive and mutually beneficial cooperation, and together contribute their wisdom to the governance of an international landscape marked by turbulence and uncertainty.
During the event, Sun Yanhong, a researcher at the CASS Institute of European Studies and editor-in-chief of the Blue Book on Italy, stated that cooperation between China and Italy is not only a fundamental component of China-EU cooperation but will also significantly shape its future. The more difficult and complex the international situation becomes, the more China and Italy must demonstrate strategic resolve and foresight, strengthening mutual understanding and trust through dialogue, jointly safeguarding the overall framework of practical cooperation between the two countries and setting an example for the positive and healthy development of China-EU relations.
