High-Level Strategic Dialogue in Hangzhou:

Day 2 of the “Foreign Enterprises Zhejiang Visit”

2026 “投资浙里” 外国企业浙江行・走进杭州

We are pleased to share that we take part in the official high-level cooperation and matchmaking conference in Hangzhou, closing the 2026 “Invest in Zhejiang” Foreign Enterprises Zhejiang Visit.

The day focused on institutional dialogue, investment promotion and business networking, highlighting Zhejiang’s high-quality development goals, opening-up policies and key industrial sectors. The event hosted more than 230 global companies, with key speeches delivered by Mr. Wang Hao, Secretary of Zhejiang Provincial Party Committee, and Mr. Xi Guohua, Chairman of CITIC Group. The main session was moderated by Mr. Liu Jie, Governor of Zhejiang Province.

A highlight was the roundtable discussion on investment incentives and new opportunities for foreign businesses across advanced manufacturing, digital economy, new energy and cross-border e-commerce.

Why this summit matters for CPO & Partners As a leading Italy‑China cross-border legal & tax advisory firm, this high-level conference allowed us to:

✅ Strengthen connections with Zhejiang provincial authorities

✅ Collect first-hand updates on policies and regulations

✅ Network with major regional enterprises and global investors

✅ Better support European and Italian clients investing in the region

Zhejiang stands out as a strategic hub for international trade and investment, with great potential for long-term cooperation between Italy, Europe and China. We aim to turn these exchanges into solid joint projects.

Thank you to the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Commerce, CITIC Group and the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China.

CPO & Partners is proud to join the 2026 “Invest in Zhejiang” Foreign Enterprises Zhejiang Visit with the official delegation of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China.

Organized by Zhejiang Provincial Government and CITIC Group, this top-tier event gathered over 230 international companies to explore advanced manufacturing, new energy, digital trade and cross‑border investment.

Our delegation visited Jinhua’s key hubs:

• East China International Intermodal Port
• Zhejiang Panshi Dynamics Technology Co., Ltd.
• Leapmotor Automobile Co., Ltd.
• Yiwu Global Digital Trade Center

A highlight was the high‑level meeting with Mr. Zhang Jian, Mayor of Jinhua, and Ms. Huang Hui, Vice Mayor, focused on investment policies and opportunities for European and Italian enterprises.

For CPO & Partners – a leading Italy‑China legal & tax advisory firm with 18+ years of experience – this mission strengthens our role as a trusted bridge between international businesses and China.

We enhance institutional relations, gain first‑hand policy insights, expand our industrial network, and deliver tailored support to clients investing in Zhejiang.

We remain committed to win‑win cooperation between Italy, Europe and Zhejiang.

Thank you to Zhejiang Provincial Department of Commerce, CITIC Group and the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China.

Recently, our team joined the exclusive on-site institutional and technical visit directly onboard the Adora Flora City at Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipyard, an important flagship result of joint Italy-China shipbuilding cooperation, organised by the Italian Chamber of Commerce in China. During the day, we attended institutional briefings, reviewed dedicated technical project presentations, analysed the dedicated 3D project models, and exchanged direct insights with key industry managers and operators working daily on this high-value industrial project. The initiative offered a clear, first-hand overview of concrete joint workflows, operational industrial collaboration standards and large-scale project development practices within the international cruise shipbuilding sector.

For CPO & Partners, these regular field activities strengthen our daily advisory capabilities across all industries. They allow our international team of lawyers, tax advisors and corporate consultants to support companies with solid, updated, on‑the‑ground insights for market entry, regulatory compliance, corporate structuring and bilateral business development between Italy and China.

We keep building reliable connections, working synergy and practical knowledge to deliver concrete, tailored consultancy to all our clients operating across every industrial and commercial sector between Europe and China.

Our team attended a briefing at the European Chamber Shanghai Office, hosted by President Jens Eskelund, focusing on the critical report Exporting Control — China’s New Strategic Strategic Toolkit.

The briefing dealt with updates on the expansion of China’s export control regime, severe supply chain vulnerabilities for rare earths and critical raw materials, and the operational risks tied to new extraterritorial controls effective November 2026. The closed-door session outlined the future direction of China’s trade policy tools and practical risk mitigation strategies for European firms managing international supply chains.

CPO & Partners put strong attention on the expertise of its personnel and events like this deliver important information and updates. It is very important to listen, understand and evaluate messages of institutions like the European Chamber through its leadership, capture real-time policy intelligence, and integrate such insights into advisory services. This allows us to provide clients with precise, forward-looking support on cross-border trade compliance, critical supply chain optimization, and geopolitical risk management.

Amid rising trade tensions, we continuously monitor China-EU regulatory shifts, turning complex export control challenges into clear, safe, and executable operational roadmaps for our partners.

CPO & Partners is proud to have taken part in the “Talk over Lunch with Paolo Gentiloni”, organized by the Italian Chamber of Commerce in China (CICC) in Shanghai.

Engaging directly with European Commissioner for Economy Paolo Gentiloni offered a valuable opportunity to reflect on Europe’s economic dynamics, the EU–China relationship, and the evolving landscape for Italian enterprises operating internationally.

Moments like these are essential to strengthening the dialogue between European institutions and the business community, while allowing us to provide our clients with strategic insights into global economic developments.

On December 24, 2025, China released the Catalogue of Encouraged Industries for Foreign Investment 2025, effective February 1, 2026, updating the list of sectors and activities eligible for preferential treatment, streamlined procedures, and operational advantages.

Compared to the previous version, the new Catalogue shows a broader scope – with 200+ new items and 300+ revisions – and a more targeted focus on:

• Advanced manufacturing, with items from terminal products and components to raw materials;
• Green technologies and modern services, such as lifestyle, consumer-facing, and digitalized service industries;
• Additional incentives for central, western, northeastern regions (underdeveloped areas), and Hainan.

Four preferential policies:

1. Customs duty exemptions for imported self-use equipment;
2. Preferential industrial land access – reductions down to 70% and more flexibility;
3. Reduced CIT (15%) for eligible projects located in western China and Hainan;
4. Tax credits for profits reinvestment into National Catalogue’s projects.

This update confirms China’s intention to attract foreign investment, especially when aligned with its high-quality growth, innovation, and regional development goals, offering a key instrument for recalibrating China and Far East investment strategies.

Pdf Source (Chinese language)

https://www.ndrc.gov.cn/xxgk/zcfb/fzggwl/202512/P020251224301773999332.pdf

On December 9, 2025, Francesco Marano took part in the “Zhejiang–Shanghai Connect | Jiaxing Special Event” held in Shanghai, delivering a speech focused on foreign investment projects in China.

His contribution addressed key aspects related to market entry strategies, investment pathways, and the role of tax and legal advisory in supporting cross-border operations within an evolving regulatory and economic framework.

The event provided a valuable platform for dialogue between institutions and international stakeholders, highlighting the importance of cooperation between European and Chinese business ecosystems.

The event has successfully concluded

Changzhou City – Zhonglou District, China 2030:

Opportunities and Challenges of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan, hosted in Barcelona

CPO & Partners participated alongside FELIU as an internationalization partner, contributing to the discussion on the strategic directions shaping China’s market in the coming years.

During his presentation, Fabio Enrico Pessina provided an in-depth overview of China’s economic and regulatory outlook toward 2030, highlighting implications for European companies across technology, green transition, and advanced manufacturing sectors.

We extend our thanks to FELIU for the excellent organization and to all participants for the valuable exchange.

An important opportunity to strengthen business connections between Europe and China in an increasingly complex global landscape.

Opportunities and Challenges of the Chinese Market toward 2030

The event “Opportunities and Challenges of the Chinese Market toward 2030”, held yesterday at Starhotels Majestic in Turin, concluded successfully, confirming the strong interest of the Piedmont industrial ecosystem in China’s upcoming developments.

The Pinghu Economic & Technological Development Zone delegation presented the evolution of the industrial district and the opportunities available to Italian companies in automotive, green economy and digital innovation, ahead of China’s 2026–2030 Five-Year Plan.

Professionals from CPO & Partners, together with Dr. Sara Berloto (ICCF), outlined key strategic trends, regulatory perspectives and operational frameworks supporting companies looking to strengthen their presence in China.

The discussions, Q&A session and networking cocktail highlighted the growing interest in building structured cooperation between Piedmont and China within an evolving industrial landscape.

Our sincere thanks to the Pinghu delegation, the speakers and all participants for their valuable contributions.

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CPO & Partners at CIIE 2025, Shanghai

Once again this year, the CPO & Partners team attended the China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai — one of the world’s key events for trade and innovation.
Our team’s on-site participation as professional visitors offered valuable opportunities to connect with clients, partners, and industry peers, explore market developments, and strengthen strategic relationships within an ever-evolving international landscape.
An experience that reaffirms CPO & Partners’ commitment to staying closely aligned with China’s economic and industrial dynamics, fostering growth and collaboration between Italian and Chinese enterprises.