Wuxi Mayor Huang Qin met this month with the Consulate General of Italy in Shanghai Michele Cecchi, exchanging ideas on further communication and cooperation.

Huang welcomed the delegation and said the city attaches great importance to communications with Italy.

Last year, the total trade volume between the two sides reached $1.09 billion, an increase of 14.6 percent. Italy has invested in 102 projects in Wuxi with a total investment of $680 million.

"Wuxi looks forward to deepening cooperation with Italy. More economic and trade cooperation is expected especially in textiles and clothing, automobiles and parts and biomedicine between the two sides," said Huang.

Michele Cecchi said that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Italy, and Italy will deepen cooperation with Wuxi in smart manufacturing, environmental protection, health care, education and many other fields.

During this year’s Wuxi International Cherry Blossom Week in late-March the China-Italy Chamber of Commerce will introduce Italian companies in China to exchange ideas on business in Wuxi.