OREANDA-NEWS. December 16, 2011. One of the biggest get-togethers of the Italian-Chinese business community – an Italian gala dinner - was held in Beijing’s Peninsula Hotel on Dec 10. This was not only the best place to get a taste of real Italian lifestyle or some Italian food and wine, but also a place for networking while enjoying some top entertainment with the Italian friends.
On hand for the grand event were Attilio Massimo Iannucci, Italy’s ambassador to China, Franco Cutrupia, chairman of the China-Italy Chamber of Commerce, which organized the gala, and She Chunming, vice-mayor of the city of Jining (Shandong province). Other important guests included the chairmen of important educators, international reporters, and various other representatives.

While they were enjoying some Italian food and wine, the guests found themselves surrounded by traditional Italian and Chinese. An Italian band, Nello and the Cats, which has gained some fame in Shanghai, was on hand to perform. They were followed by a performance of Chinese Huangmei Opera by two wonderful members of an Anhui opera troupe. Huangmei Opera is a unique local branch of traditional Chinese opera known for its different rhythms.

One highlight of the evening was Zhang Feng, singing “My Sun”. Zhang is one of China’s most famous singers and has held many concerts in Italy, and received plenty of applause and cheers of “Bravo! Bravo” for her effort. Zhang was honored by the Italian president in 2011 with a knighthood and invited to sing the Italian national anthem for the country’s National Day this year.

The China-Italy Chamber of Commerce, organizer of the evening affair, is a non-profit private association founded in 1991. In 2000, it was recognized by the Italian government and now represents the Ital¬ian business community in China in dealing with both Chinese and Italian authorities.

Composed of private entrepreneurs, businesspeople and other professionals, the chamber is deeply rooted in business culture, but it also has a strong understanding of public needs. It educates young professionals and assists small and medium-sized enterprises to pursue business opportunities with Italian counterparts through an integrated framework of all major Italian players in the Chinese market.

CICC is based in Beijing and has branches in Shanghai and Guangzhou.
The plan has made energy-guzzlers in China, including steelmakers and coal-fired power plants, scramble to reduce emissions to avoid having their business licenses revoked by the government. The plan also provides business opportunities for energy efficiency solution providers, including Air Products.

Jones said Air Products will bring its most advanced technologies, including those that can "capture" carbon dioxide, to China and help local companies reduce emissions.

Looking forward, Jones expects China's industrial gas market to increase by 19 percent annually, outgrowing the 9 percent global average growth. By 2015, China will account for 11 percent of the USD 96 billion global industrial gas market.

"China's a strategically important market for us. We will continue investing and growing our business here in China," said Jones.

Jones hopes that the revenue from China can grow more than 19 percent this year, while global revenue is expected to grow only 3 to 10 percent.

In the financial year ended Oct 1, China contributed about USD 800 million of the company's 10.1 billion global sales.

As an indication of its fast growth in China, Air Products workforce tripled to about 2,400 this year from about 800 in 2003. Jones said hiring will keep pace in the future.