On December 5, a business matchmaking conference entitled “SACE Connects: Business Opportunities with China Construction Bank in Chinese Winter Sports Market” was held in Milan, Italy. Mr. Geng Xiewei, Economic and Commercial Counsellor of the Consulate General of China in Milan, Mr. Bernardo Attolico, Chief Business Officer of SACE, the Italian credit insurance company, and Mr. Sun Jianbo, General Manager of the International Business Department of China Construction Bank, delivered speeches at the opening ceremony. Liu Xinighua, head of the International Relations Department of Beijing Olympic City Development Center, also gave a speech at the conference. He was joined by Iacopo Mazzetti, Sustainability and Legacy Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026, and Zhang Guihai, president of the Heilongjiang Ice and Snow Industry Research Institute.

(Liu Xinghua speaking)

In his speech, Mr. Liu introduced how Beijing 2022 had driven the development of China’s ice and snow industry and the post-games utilization of Olympic venues. He particularly mentioned the work done by the Beijing Olympic City Development Association in promoting the Olympic spirit, Olympic culture, and Olympic Movement, advocating fitness for all, serving Beijing’s urban development and its ordinary citizens, and promoting regional coordination and sustainable development. He also talked with Jacob via video link, hoping that Beijing and Paris, two Olympic cities, will strengthen exchanges and cooperation in sports and culture, so as to better promote the post-games use of the Olympic legacy and win-win development.   

    It is learnt that this event aims to warm up for the 20th anniversary of the China-Italy comprehensive strategic partnership in 2024. It attracts the participation of more than 50 well-known domestic ski resorts, winter sport clubs, winter sport equipment buyers, and nearly 10 leading Italian winter sport enterprises. The participants carried out multiple rounds of business negotiations. The event was also indebted to the strong support of the Hebei Provincial Leading Group for Post-Games Economic Development and the China Ice and Snow Industry Alliance.