SHANGHAI Mayor Yang Xiong met Italian Ambassador to China Ettore Sequi and his delegation on February 19. Yang said Shanghai has close ties and cooperation with Italy in many areas.

Shanghai and Milan are sister cities. Shanghai was an active participant of Milan Expo 2015, he said, adding that the Italian Pavilion for Shanghai Expo 2010 has been transformed into Shanghai Italian Center as a platform for bilateral exchanges.

The mayor said Shanghai is accelerating the development of China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone and is carrying out reforms and innovation to facilitate investment and trade in the zone. The FTZ is offering business opportunities for foreign companies, including Italian firms, and is helping Chinese enterprises invest overseas.