Italian Excellence Celebrated at the 2025 Panda D’Oro, Shanghai

Shanghai, 14 June 2025 - On June 14th, the fourteenth edition of the Panda D’Oro Gala Awards took place at the iconic W Hotel in Shanghai, bringing together entrepreneurs, members and friends of the Chamber, as well as distinguished representatives of Italian and Chinese institutions.

In what has become the most anticipated celebration of Made in Italy in China, this year’s edition marked a record of 60 candidate companies, with 23 winners honored for their outstanding results in innovation, sustainability, branding, and cultural outreach in the Chinese market.

The Panda D’Oro Gala Awards was preceeded by the Asia-Pacific Roundtable. Together, the two events brought together over 700 guests from the Italian and Chinese business communities.

A strong Signal of Institutional Cooperation

The event was organized by the China-Italy Chamber of Commerce (CICC), in collaboration with the Embassy of Italy to the P.R.C., the Consulate General of Italy in Shanghai, the Italian Trade Agency (ITA/ICE), and the Italian Cultural Institutes of Beijing and Shanghai.

The high-profile nature of the event was confirmed by the attendance of prominent Chinese institutional leaders, including Shanghai SCOFCOM (Shanghai Commission of Commerce), Shanghai Foreign Investment Development Board, Shanghai Hongkou District Government, and CCPIT Shanghai.

Their presence testified to the importance that Chinese authorities place on collaboration with Italian businesses, particularly in a global context where bilateral partnerships are increasingly vital.

The ceremony was officially opened by Lorenzo Riccardi, Chairman of the CICC, and H.E. Massimo Ambrosetti, Ambassador of Italy to the P.R.C.

"This year, the most important event of the Italian Chamber in China — the Panda Awards — took place in the context of the 55th anniversary of official diplomatic relations, and was dedicated to the connection between economy and culture, which represents the core value underpinning both our industrial presence and our business community.

We celebrated the centenary of Treccani, a symbol of Italian knowledge and cultural heritage, with the presence of its Director General and former Minister of Culture, Massimo Bray.

The evening was a tribute to the companies — both Italian and Chinese — that have most successfully promoted their excellence across all sectors.

The goal of our association is to promote economic relations, and we aim to do so in close collaboration with institutions, businesses, and the thousands of people working for Italian companies in China — because the true value of Made in Italy is reflected in the quality of our business community in this country." - Lorenzo Riccardi, Chariman of the China-Italy Chamber of Commerce

Among the notable guests were Tiziana D’Angelo, Consul General of Italy in Shanghai, Marco Midolo, First Counsellor at the Italian Embassy, Francesco Pensabene, Italian Trade Commissioner to China and Mongolia, Augusto Di Giacinto, Director of ITA/ICE Shanghai, and Federico Roberto Antonelli and Francesco D’Arelli, Directors of the Italian Cultural Institutes in Beijing and Shanghai respectively.

Special guests of the evening included several Presidents and representatives of Italian Chambers of Commerce across Asia, who had earlier participated in the business roundtable on opportunities for Italian companies in the Asia-Pacific region, held in the afternoon of the same day. Among them were Alessandro Giuliani, President of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in India; Michele D’Ercole, President of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam; Giacomo Iobizzi, Secretary General of the Thai-Italian Chamber of Commerce; and Davide De Rosa, President of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong.

Culture, Cinema and Cuisine: 

A tribute to Italian Identity

This year’s edition was particularly rich in cultural significance, with celebrations dedicated to:

1. The 100th anniversary of Treccani, a symbol of Italian knowledge and cultural heritage. For the occasion, Massimo Bray, Director of the Istituto della Enciclopedia Italiana Treccani, received a special recognition on stage from the CICC Chairman.

2. The 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Italy and China, marked by a preview of an upcoming exhibition dedicated to Italian Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio, introduced by Federico Roberto Antonelli.

3. A tribute to Italian cinema, celebrating its timeless influence and artistic excellence. 

2025 Panda D’Oro Gala Award Winners

INNOVATION AWARD

Futurasun - Brembo - Pininfarina - Ningbo Ask Automotive

DESTINATION ITALY AWARD

Destination Italia

ITALIAN EXCELLENCE AWARD

De Longhi - Generali China Life Insurance - Natuzzi

ITALIAN TASTE AWARD

Barilla - Beretta – Loacker

SUSTAINABILITY AWARD

Comau - Grimaldi- Omlog- Jas Forwarding (China) Co. Ltd.

TURNAROUND AWARD

Filpiù - Rina

FRIENDSHIP AWARD

HCG International Travel Group Co. Ltd. - NUO Capital

PANDA D'ORO AWARD

Fincantieri - Generali China Insurance - Itema- Venchi

The evening was enlivened by a performance from the Shanghai Nova Sinfonietta Orchestra, conducted by Italian maestro Roberto Fiore, and the captivating voice of multicultural jazz vocalist Heidi Li.

Guests were also treated to a refined dinner curated by the Italian Chefs Federation (FIC) in China, featuring a journey through authentic Italian flavors and inspired by iconic films from Italy’s rich cinematic tradition. The menu was expertly paired with premium Italian wines offered by Joyetown, LunaNera, Sinodrink, and Zonin 1821, with Inalca providing mineral water throughout the night.

The CICC extends its heartfelt thanks to all the sponsors who made this extraordinary evening possible.

FINANCIAL SPONSORS 

Fincantieri (Shanghai) trading co., ltd; Intesa Sanpaolo Spa Shanghai Branch; Loacker; Suqian; Barilla; Beretta; Generali Life Insurance; HCG International Travel Group Co. Ltd.; JAS Forwarding (China) Co.Ltd.; Ningbo ASK Automotive Sound and Communication Co., Ltd; Omlog (China) Co., Ltd; Pininfarina Shanghai Co.,ltd; VFS Business Information Consulting (Shanghai) Ltd; Lavor; Ariston Heating Solutions (China) Co.,Ltd; China Telecom Europe Ltd. ; Comau (Shanghai) Engineering Co.,Ltd; CUI 翠; De'Longhi-Kenwood Appliances (Dongguan) Co.,Ltd.; Hangzhou Bimbo Trade Co., Ltd. (Chante Clair); Jiaxing Nanhu Industrial Park; Mecc Alte Nantong ltd; Natuzzi Shanghai; Zoppas Industries Hangzhou Ltd.

FOOD & BEVERAGE SPONSORS

JOYETOWN (SHANGHAI) TRADING CO., LTD., Lunanera, Shanghai SinoDrink Co., Ltd., ZONIN1821, 100Ita, Barilla, Beretta, Campari  Group, De'Longhi-Kenwood Appliances (Dongguan) Co.,Ltd., Easail (Shanghai) International Trading Co., Ltd., Funkadeli, Giolitti, IF&B Shanghai Company Limited, INDEPENDENT SALUMI UNION, Maiora Wines Shanghai Trading Co. LTD, MAMMAMIA!, SAMMONTANA SPA, Telford Wine& Spirits (Shanghai)Ltd, VM FINE WINES.

TECHNICAL SPONSORS

Alfaromeo, CCF, Corium [Runzhi Furniture Trading (Kunshan) Co.,Ltd.], Ducati China, Ferrari, FIC (Federazione Italiana Cuochi in Cina), Filpiu (Zhangjiagang) Special Textile Products Co.,Ltd., Itema Weaving Machinery (China) Co., Ltd, Neinawa Shanghai advertising co LTD (NAVA PRESS), Radici Design studio, Shanghai Nova Sinfonietta Orchestra.

LUCKY DRAW SPONSORS

Natuzzi Shanghai, HCG International Travel Group Co., Ltd., Valentino (Beijing) Fashion Trading Co., Ltd., Msc Cruises Shipping Service(Shanghai) Ltd., Hainan Airlines, Grimaldi Shipping Agencies (Shanghai) Co.,Ltd, Corium, Golden Goose  (Shanghai) trading Co,. Ltd., MaxMara, AAC Wine, Across Tuscany (China 2000), Alfaromeo, AsecorpChina Business Consulting Co. Ltd, Bella Vita, Beretta, Bottega, Brembo, Calzedonia Shanghai Co. Ltd, Carpisa, CCF, Chiarella, China World Hotel, City News Service, Cooperativa Ceramica d'lmola S.C., Da Vittorio, Destinazione Italia, Ferrari, Funkadeli, Good Italy, GWA - Greatway Advisory, Heyuan Cafiero Cases Ltd, Intimissimi, Joye Town Shanghai trading, Juventus Football Club S.p.A, Kocoon Spa, Kunshan Investment Promotion Co;Ltd., La Petronilla Boutique Hotel Moganshan, Moleskine  Commerce and Trade (shanghai) Co., Ltd, Nanjing Ningduoduo Advertising Co;Ltd, Nio Cocktail – SAVA, On the list, Sichuan Mu Yu Cultural, SinoDrink Trading Co., Ltd, St Regis hotel, Swiss hotel, Vesuvius(Suzhou)International Trading Co.Ltd  + Vesusapori, W hotel.

GOODIE BAGS SPONSORS

AAC WINES, Barilla, Bella Vita, Calzedonia Shanghai Co. Ltd, Easail, Ferrero (Shanghai) Trading Co., Goglio (Tianjin) Packaging Co., Ltd, GWA - Greatway Advisory, Itema Weaving Machinery (China) Co., Ltd, Loacker, Marvis (Profex Shanghai), Medavita (Hair Trading), Moleskine Commerce and Trade (shanghai) Co., Ltd, Santoni (Shanghai) Knitting Machinery Co., Ltd., Tesori d'Oriente/Shanghai Chongya Trading co.,Ltd.

MEDIA PARTNERS

China Federation of Economic Media, Classeditori, CGTN, Cosmo Love, Luxury Times, That's Shanghai.

A huge thanks to the CICC Shanghai Office Team for its efforts in organizing the event which resulted in a wonderful night for all the attendees.