Pirelli: China is one of the company's most important markets

Editor's note: The Third Qingdao Multinationals Summit will take place in Qingdao, Shandong province, from June 20 to 21, as part of the country's efforts to accelerate high-level opening-up and boost global economic recovery. Participants' expectations for this year's summit and their insights into China's endeavors to promote a higher level of opening-up and encourage high-quality growth under the new "dual-circulation" development pattern are being featured in a series of reports by China Daily.

Q1. Is this your first time to attend the Qingdao Multinationals Summit? What development opportunities did the last summit bring to your company? What are your expectations for this summit?

A: It will be the third time for me to attend the Qingdao Multinationals Summit.

The Qingdao Multinationals Summit is a good platform to deepen the all-round development of multinational enterprises in China and to promote the service and integration of multinational enterprises into the new market framework. The previous editions have shown me Shandong's great commitment to the development of multinational enterprises in China, and the outstanding achievements that have been made.

Shandong province is forming a joint effort with multinational enterprises to promote high-quality economic development. For enterprises, the summit provides a high level of mutual benefits and win-win opportunities, a resource platform for close communication between government and enterprises and also among enterprises, bringing multinational enterprises the confidence to continue to lay roots in the local market and share the opportunities brought by such high-quality development.

This time, I hope to get a better understanding of the government policies at all levels in Shandong province for the development of multinational enterprises. In addition, I am looking forward to strengthening the communication with other multinational enterprises and gaining valuable experience from them.

Q2. Despite the impact of COVID-19, the fundamentals of China's long-term sound economy have not changed, and its determination to further open up has not wavered. The Chinese market will play an increasingly prominent role in the development of multinational companies. In this context, how do you see the development prospects of multinational companies in China?

A: We believe in the long-term positive trend of China's economic development. The potential of the auto market is quite large and total demand is still strong.

China is one of the most important markets for Pirelli. Pirelli has established deep roots in China since it entered in 2005. Based on its insight into local market needs, Pirelli uses global innovative technologies and resources to benefit consumers and partners, including the establishment of the first international level R&D center of Pirelli in the APAC region in Shandong's Yanzhou: Pirelli APAC R&D and Innovation Center. In the future, Pirelli will always adhere to the high value strategy, and we are confident in the development prospects of the Chinese market.

Q3. China aims to peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and realize carbon neutrality before 2060. What new development opportunities do you think China's "dual carbon" goal will bring to foreign investment?

A: China's "double carbon" target is driving a nationwide energy transition and low-carbon practices, and presents long-term growth potential and innovation opportunities for the renewable energy, electric vehicle and energy-efficient products markets.

The general environment in which China is implementing the "double carbon" objective provides Pirelli with an even better policy environment to achieve the group's sustainable development goals.

In recent years, Shandong has adhered to green low-carbon development, and constantly guides enterprises to increase investment in environmental protection, strengthen technological innovation, and enhance pollution control capabilities to achieve a win-win situation for environmental improvement and the economic development of society.

Q4. At present, Shandong is actively building a new development layout and speeding up its opening-up to the outside world. What is your impression of Shandong's economic and social development and business environment?

A: Shandong is a major province for tyre production and consumption, and there is ample space for cooperation.

Since Pirelli entered China in 2005, it has set up three factories in China, two of which are located in Yanzhou, Shandong province. Over the years, thanks to the sound investment environment of Shandong, through strategic cooperation, joint ventures, technology introduction and joint R&D, Pirelli has worked closely with the government at all levels in Shandong and with the Hixih Group.

Those efforts have incubated many projects which were selected as the first batch of major endeavors within the Shandong provincial project database for the transition from old to new kinetic energy, and the key R&D plan project library, etc.

Shandong is a "blessed place" in Pirelli's global development history. Pirelli has been rooted in Shandong for 17 years, and the outstanding results it has achieved could not have happened without the full support of the provincial government and departments at all levels.

Pirelli values its partnership with Shandong and attaches great importance to the development of its framework here, and looks forward to establishing more strategic partnerships with Shandong in the future to achieve mutual benefits.