On December 11, 2025, the “From Hangzhou to the World” 2025 Belt and Road Local Cooperation and Hangzhou Promotion Event was successfully held in Venice, Italy. Guided by the Foreign Affairs Office of the Hangzhou Municipal People’s Government and the Hangzhou People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the event was hosted by the UCLG ASPAC Committee on the Belt and Road Local Cooperation (BRLC), with strong support from the Italy-China Link Association (ICLA) and the Hangzhou Public Diplomacy Association. Nearly 150 participants attended, including representatives from Italian and European political and business circles, BRLC members, ICLA delegates, Italian universities, and the Chinese community in Italy.

As one of BRLC’s flagship annual events, the promotion focused on the theme “From Hangzhou to the World,” aiming to deepen city-to-city exchanges under the “Belt and Road” framework and promote practical cooperation in digital economy, cultural and creative industries, and convention and exhibition services. It also sought to expand Hangzhou’s network of partnerships with local governments, enterprises, and institutions across Europe.

The event highlighted Hangzhou’s unique strengths as a digital economy hub along the Belt and Road. With a population of 13 million, the city exemplifies the integration of millennia-old cultural heritage with cutting-edge digital innovation. Recognized by UNESCO as a “Smart City,” Hangzhou is renowned not only for the poetic beauty of West Lake but also for its vibrant digital economy.

The event opened with welcome remarks from Antonella Sanella, Managing Director of H-FARM International School. BRLC Vice President Miao Chengchao delivered a video address, followed by an official speech from Graziella Rivitti, Vice President of the Unified Committee for Equal Opportunities (CUG) at Italy’s Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy (MIMIT), who emphasized the vast potential for China-Italy local cooperation in digital economy and cultural exchange. Maria Moreni, President of ICLA and Co-President of BRLC, provided a comprehensive overview of BRLC’s organizational structure, annual achievements, and future plans. Zhu Hongjuan, Deputy General Manager of Hangzhou Convention and Exhibition Group · International Exchange Center, delivered a keynote speech titled “Digital Trade: Connecting Global Business,” sharing Hangzhou’s experience in building a digital trade ecosystem and its vision for international cooperation, which sparked great interest among attendees.

A special session introduced new and existing BRLC members, with representatives from Italy’s culinary, cultural, and women’s development sectors engaging in lively discussions, showcasing the vitality and potential of China-Italy cooperation. The event concluded with the presentation of the “BRLC Best Partner Award,” honoring institutions and individuals who have made outstanding contributions to local cooperation between China and Italy.

An interactive exhibition area was also set up outside the main venue, showcasing the fruitful outcomes of recent BRLC initiatives. A special “Digital Hangzhou” immersive experience zone highlighted the city’s innovation through cutting-edge technologies, fostering mutual understanding and friendly exchanges between China and Italy through the twin lenses of culture and technology.

This promotion event not only deepened European stakeholders’ understanding of Hangzhou’s urban image and development opportunities but also demonstrated BRLC’s cohesion and capacity as a multilateral cooperation platform, further energized local cooperation between China and Italy, injecting fresh momentum into future collaboration. Looking ahead, BRLC will continue to build the “From Hangzhou to the World” brand, leveraging Hangzhou’s strategic location and digital economy strengths to promote greater connectivity, resource sharing, and coordinated development among local governments, enterprises, and institutions under the “Belt and Road” framework—writing a new chapter of win-win cooperation among cities.