Fabio Schina, Consul-General of Italy in Chongqing: Building Bridges Through Culture to Expand New Areas of Cooperation

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Fabio Schina, born in the 1980s, assumed the position of Consul-General of Italy in Chongqing in August 2023. This is his first role as Consul-General and his third overseas posting.

“To truly understand Asia, one must come to China. Being posted to Chongqing is a very interesting experience.” In 2023, Fabio Schina embarked on a new journey from the Adriatic coast to the banks of the Yangtze River to serve as the Consul-General of Italy in Chongqing. This is his third overseas assignment and his first as a Consul-General.

He mentioned that his interest in Asia grew while working in the South-East Asia Office of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and over time, this interest deepened. Choosing to come to China was due to its significance as the most important country in Asia. As the Consul-General of Italy in Chongqing, he is committed to promoting exchanges and cooperation between Italy and Chongqing, from cultural exchanges to intelligent manufacturing, continuously exploring the potential for collaboration.

Bridging Hearts Through Cultural Branding Events

“When I was appointed as Consul-General, the embassy provided several Chinese name options. I believed ‘Qifan’ (meaning ‘setting sail’) was the best choice,” Fabio Schina said. “It symbolizes embarking on a new journey, implying that my work in Chongqing will unfold in the best possible way.”

Fabio Schina praised Chongqing as “unique” and “very interesting,” vastly different from the countries he had previously lived and worked in. “Chongqing is the largest municipality in the world, home to over 32 million residents, which is a remarkable characteristic in itself. The city boasts enchanting nightscapes and a distinctive urban style, blending modern technological landscapes with ancient historical relics.”

During his tenure in Chongqing, Fabio Schina has focused on cultural exchanges, continuously developing brand activities such as the Week of the Italian Language in the World, Italian Design Day, and Made in Italy Day to deepen mutual understanding between Italy and Chongqing.

“Our work in promoting the Italian language is quite interesting,” Fabio Schina explained. “The third week of October each year is the ‘Week of the Italian Language,’ during which the consulate-general collaborates with various educational institutions to promote the Italian language.” He also mentioned the exhibition “The Centenary Triptych: Leonardo 1919 Raphael 1920 Dante 1921 and Italian ingenuity at the origins of Made in Italy” held in November 2023, which showcased Italian art treasures from the first half of the 20th century.

There are now direct flights between Chongqing and Italy. Fabio Schina said he would recommend Chongqing to his Italian friends: “It’s not only a perfect destination to experience Chinese culture but also an ideal hub for exploring central and southwestern China.” He also extended an invitation to Chongqing residents to visit Rome, Venice, Florence, and Naples to appreciate the stunning landscapes and artistic treasures.

Key Areas Cooperation Unleashing Momentum for Industrial Upgrades

Italy is a developed industrial nation, while Chongqing serves as the economic, financial, and innovation center of the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. What kind of sparks will fly when the “Italian gene” meets “Chongqing manufacturing”?

Fabio Schina believes that there is vast potential for cooperation between the two sides in areas such as automotive design, urban planning, and advanced manufacturing.

“Italy has strong capabilities in automotive design, and Chongqing is a significant automobile production base in China. Combining product innovation with design innovation is precisely what consumers favor. In this regard, Italian designers and design brands can play a more significant role,” Fabio Schina noted. He mentioned that a few years ago, CHANGAN Automobile’s investment project in Turin, Italy, fully utilized the advantages of the Italian design industry to support the development of Chinese enterprises. This will become one of the key development areas in the future, with immense potential.

“There is also significant potential for cooperation in urban planning and related fields,” Fabio Schina stated. “This is an area where Italy has strengths, and it’s also crucial for Chongqing. The city has extensive experience in urban planning, old city renovation, and smart land use, providing opportunities for collaboration between the two sides.”

In the field of trade and investment, Italy has several investment projects in Chongqing, primarily focusing on advanced manufacturing, especially in the automotive sector. Currently, companies, such as Italy’s  UFI Filters and ASK Group, have established projects in Chongqing.

Fabio Schina introduced that one of the most representative collaborations is the joint venture project of the well-known Italian automotive brand IVECO. The group partnered with Chongqing enterprises to produce trucks and their components, with significant investment. ASK Group has also invested in building a factory in Chongqing to produce automotive electronic equipment. Recently, a joint venture project between STMicroelectronics and Sanan Optoelectronics Co., Ltd. has been completed, involving the semiconductor industry, a key area in the automotive sector. This is another exemplary cooperation between Chinese and Italian enterprises, playing a vital role in promoting development and cooperation between Italy and Chongqing.

Fabio Schina revealed that the next phase of his work will continue to focus on cultural promotion, while also strengthening efforts to boost investment and trade. He aims to help Chongqing enterprises and Chinese partners better understand investment opportunities in Italy, and promote deeper cooperation in key areas such as the green economy. Italy is highly competitive in the green economy, having nurtured a number of globally competitive industries and companies, offering significant potential for collaboration with Chongqing and China as a whole.

Photo/Consulate-General of Italy in Chongqing and Chongqing First Sight News

By Liu Dingrui and He Yu/The World and Chongqing