GENOA, Italy, June 23 (Xinhua Silk Road) -- Italy's Liguria region is optimistic about expanding cooperation with China in ports, logistics and trade, and looks to explore new opportunities through the fourth China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE), a local senior official said.
Massimiliano Nannini, head of cabinet of the Liguria regional government and head of the delegation to the CISCE, said in a recent interview that Liguria has long maintained close ties with China and hopes to further expand cooperation, particularly in supply chains and maritime industries.
Located in northwestern Italy, Liguria is home to several major ports and serves as one of the country's most important maritime gateways. The Port of Genoa and the region's wider port network occupy a strategic position along Mediterranean shipping routes and play a key role in Italy's foreign trade and European supply chains.
"Relations with China have lasted for a long time, and we want to strengthen them," he said, noting that Chinese companies, such as COSCO, have established strong partnerships with Ligurian ports and businesses.
According to Nannini, logistics, ports and the broader blue economy are key areas for future China-Italy cooperation.
He also noted that a planned memorandum of understanding between Liguria and Hainan Province will be signed during the CISCE. "Even though it is an intention for now, the willingness to cooperate actually has a much more important meaning for us because it is the beginning of a path that will certainly lead the two ports and the two cities to achieve win-win cooperation," Nannini said. (Contributed by Gao Jingyan, edited by Li Xueqing with Xinhua Silk Road, lixueqing@xinhua.org)
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