Hainan Strengthens Italy–China Cooperation
From the Free Trade Port to the Leonardo da Vinci Museum, New Opportunities in Economy, Tourism and Culture
Rome, Italy
2025 | 01/10 |
About the Mission
Between Milan and Rome, a high-level institutional mission of China’s Hainan Province met Italian institutions, companies, and innovators to advance a shared agenda on sustainable tourism, international trade, culture, and technology.
At the heart of the conversations: the upcoming Free Trade Port regime (zero-tariff customs from December 18th, 2025), new channels for investment and joint ventures, and concrete projects capable of turning dialogue into outcomes.
Business Linkages & Outcomes
In Milan (Sept 29–30), the delegation joined targeted B2B meetings and sector matchmaking (advanced manufacturing, life sciences, culture & creativity, agrifood).
Thematic roundtables focused on market access, logistics and tariff frameworks, joint training, and cultural exchanges, with pathways to MoUs and industrial partnerships supported by local facilitation platforms.
In Rome (Oct 1st), the mission hosted a Free Trade Port promotion conference opened by the City’s legal counsel office, reaffirming friendship and cooperation between Italy and China.
| “Hainan aims to be an open, inclusive platform for enterprises, institutions, and civil society. With Italy—our natural partner—we want to grow investment, innovation, and reciprocal exchanges,” stated Vice Governor Bateer. |
Why Hainan, Why Now
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Tourism: towards 100M+ arrivals in 2025, 1,900 km of coastline and 68 bays, with high-end resorts and protected rainforests.
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Access: visa-free entry for 59 countries, including Italy (stays up to 30 days).
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Economy: autonomous customs and zero-tariff regime from Dec 18th, 2025; hi-tech clusters and JV platforms.
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Culture & Sustainability: festivals, education programs, eco-tourism—and now a flagship Leonardo initiative that bridges cultures.
Cultural Focus: the Leonardo da Vinci Museum in Sanya
Within this broader framework, Rome hosted the official presentation of the first permanent Leonardo da Vinci Museum in China, to open in Sanya, Hainan’s cultural and tourism hub.
Developed in collaboration with the Leonardo da Vinci Museum of Florence, the project will bring a curated selection of Leonardo’s machines, models, and immersive installations to a global audience.
| “Firenze and our Museum are proud to help share Leonardo in such a significant international context. Sanya will be both a tribute to the Master and a cultural bridge between Italy and China,” noted Gabriele Niccolai, Director of the Florence Museum. |
Amalart’s Role
Amalart – Italian Passion, led by Eugenio Lanzetta, is the originator and promoter of the museum concept inside the Salotto Italia–China platform: a living showcase where culture becomes enterprise and enterprise becomes culture.
The Leonardo Museum is the beating heart of this vision—a concrete symbol of Italian excellence, innovation, and dialogue projected on the global stage.
| “Leonardo is the perfect emblem of our mission: uniting culture and technology, turning ideas into reality. With the Salotto Italia–China in Sanya we are building a bridge that connects Italian creativity to Hainan’s openness,” says Eugenio Lanzetta. |
Italy–China: a Strategic Partnership
Italy remains among China’s main EU partners; China is a key Asian market for Made in Italy. The new Double Taxation Agreement (2025) further simplifies the fiscal framework, supporting competitive cross-border investment, export, and industrial cooperation.