PRESENTATION OF ITALIAN AREA
The Agency for China and Tianjin
Municipal Government have been cultivating their friendship and
exchange for more than 15 years, since the signature of their Friendship
Treaty in 1985. As a matter of fact, the Tianjin Municipality
Representatives applied to Agency for China to submit the following
project to the Regional Authorities and to Lombard entrepreneurs. The
project is to restore the old Italian concession in Tianjin, rich in
Italian style buildings of great architectonic interest and with a huge
touristic potential as well as a considerable cultural value.
The Italian concession in Tianjin can boast almost one century of history.
On July 7th, 1902, the Concession Act between Tianjin and Italy was signed
by the Italian Minister Gallina and Tianjin Government representative Mr
Tang. This act delineated the borders of the Italian concession, 51
hectares inside the Yigong zone, a very well developed zone in terms of
town-planning and means of communications. More exactly, it was situated
in Hebei District, close to Haihe River.
The
Italian Concession in Tianjin have been existing for 43 years, from 1902
to 1945. Almost one century later, it still preserves a deep Italian
flavor, even more interesting if we look at the variety of architectonic
styles present in the different buildings. Nowadays, this is the largest
group of Italian buildings present in China, therefore, it has a
considerable historical and cultural value. Thorought local researches and
deep studies the project of restoration of Italian License Zone, known
also as Tianjin Italian Business Park, defines the principle of "respecting
the original size and general plain of programme and project, coordinating
the real situation and creating a zone which is commercial, cultural and
residential with strong operative characteristics, and which will satisfy
the practical and which will inherit the characteristics of the quarter
with a specific historical culture."
The area of the project embraces the zone which reach Minghsheng Road
towards East, Boai road towards South, Beaian Road towards West. The total
surface is 10.29 hectares. According to the plan there will be 133 natural
buildings among which 9 are buildings to safe, 57 buildings to preserve
and 67 buildings to demolish.
The buildings inside the Italian Concession are mostly made of bricks and
wood, with brickwork roofs. The most famous buildings are: the former
Italian Embassy, the Romanic styled Ministry of Works, the former barracks,
and the Holy Heart Church with the annex Hospital. Moreover, there are
also the squash court, the six "Muses Villas" dedicated to the
same divinities, the Italian Garden and other buildings of exquisite
architectonic taste. In his zone there are also old houses of important
Chinese men, like Liang Qichao, Cao Kun and Cao Ou.
Till up today, the project of italian quarter has just caught the
attention of many investitors in China and in Italy. Crystal of the
chinese history and of the cultural and commercial exchange, the project
of the development of Italian quarter will be completed just thorought the
mutual collaboration between Italy and china. Because China is the biggest
country among the developing countries, it has market, resources and
workforce. Italy, as western industrialized country instead, has griffes,
technology and managerial superiority. China, just entered into WTO, is
making a series of revisions both in legal and regulatory fields both in
productive structures such as collaborations and customs formalities.
According to ONU's evaluations it will pass less than 20 years before
China begin a big touristic place. The chinese national Commission of
planning and the Department of national tourism have already classified
the project of Italian Area as touristic project much important for the
development of the country. The 15 projects of tianjin Municipality have
also ratified the need for helping Tianjin's development to make it a city
with a strong touristic character and to make the touristic sector the
center of developing the tertiary. All this, as regard the issue of
creating a mutual collaboration between China and italy to build the
italian quarter, makes this opportunity very productive, not just because
it is a step to speed up the collaboration between the two parties, but
also because it can enlarge the sectors of this collaboration offering to
the project a very rich development's ground. We have to pay attention to
this occasion and catch it, exploit it. So it will bring us enormous
economical profits and social advantages. The use of this precious
inheritance that history left us to build the Italian Area, will enforce
the relationship between the two countries, promoting both the italian,
both the chinese culture and it will speed up the promotion of economical
and commercial collaboration among China and Italy. There's a proverb in
china that says." If something happy happens, first of all tell it to
friends!" If we define the Italian Area of Tianjin a golden plate, so
thorough this collaboration, the plate will produce a shining brightness.
A series of political advantages follow the realization of this project.
For example the possibility of taking advantage of facilities that China
offers.
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The idea is to restore the most important buildings, while the less peculiar zone could be enriched by squares, monuments, parks and other infrastructures, making the quarter special and unique. The original aspect of the buildings will be preserved as well as the whole concession's "old flavour". As for the eldest buildings, they will be rebuilt or demolished, while the others will be restored or decorated in Italian style, in order to keep the harmony with the rest of the environment.
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The exterior feature of the quarter must keep a deep Italian mark, taking advantage of the already existing buildings in order to develop activities of entertainment, shopping, restoration and whatever is connected to the field of tourism. Moreover, the restoration and development of the Italian Quarter plays a very important role in the creation of new job opportunities, as well in the strengthening of the tourism and of the notoriety of Tianjin. Therefore, the city will amplify its opening and promote the development of its economy and society, gaining a lot of advantages.
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The "Italian Quarter" will surely become a pole of attraction for all the numerous Chinese and foreign tourists who will cross Beijing. In fact, they will pleasantly spend half day in Tianjin to admire the refinement of the Italian Quarter (at least the tourists who have never been in Italy), to taste Italian specialities and get fun and good shopping.
The total area of the Italian Quarter is more or less 10 hectares. At the main entrance, shall be shown a big sign board with the inscription "Italian Quarter". Will be explained the origins of the Quarter and its evolution during the years, including myths and legends connected with the famous buildings. There will be also a large pedestrian area with shopping, touristic attractions, lodgings, restoration, entertainment etc. Outside of the Quarter, there will be also some historical buildings in Chinese Style.
The project of developing city's streets will be
divided in two phases: the short and the long period. We will analyze
which are the projects relating to the most important streets which act as
link road between Italian zone and the rest of the city.
Beian Road, which is the course linking North to the South and that now is
keeping its lenght and function, will became the on the long period the
north-south course of the city; Jinbu Road on the short period will keep
its width and function along the stretch near Beisan Road and Minsheng
Road. But on the long period we forecast to make it the main course
towards east - west which will link the center of the city with the
railway station. To improve the viability and also to avoid crossing
italian area, it should turn on the right at the crossroads with Minsheng
Road and pass the crossroads in Minzu Road.
Boai Road, in the neighborhood of Beian Road and Minsheng Road, will keep
its lenght and function. On the long period instead we forecast it will
become an important communication 's street; on the short period Ziyou
Road on the stretch between Beian Road and Minsheng Road will become a
pedestrian road, with a 20 meters minimum width and daily cars'
circulation forbidden and nightly circulation limited. The road will be
paved and there will be a lane for blind; along the streets
infrastructures such as lightening, advertising posters and telephone cabs
will be installed, near the shops along the streets plants and decorative
objects will be put. Also Minzu Road, along the stretch between Jinbu Road
and Boai Road will be only crossed by pedestrians and Boai Road will be
only crossed by pedestrians and it will have the same characteristics as
Ziyou Road. Guangfu Road along the stretch between Beian road and minsheng
road will be only crossed by pedestrians and no car will be able to pass.
Minsheng road instead will be a secondary route.
According to the needs of development uniform to city's spaces and
buildings'characteristics, the area will be divided in 6 areas to create 4
Functional Blocks:
a. Commercial and Exposition's Zone (Sector 1)
This area, bounded on the South side by Ziyou road and on the West side by Minzu Road will become the center for the steady exposition of italian goods, fairs and manifestations will be setand products made in Italy will be sent. On the south - west side of the zone, along Boai Road and Beian Road an Exposition's Center of italian products will be built on a 20000mq surface. Inside there will be an exposition hall, few pavilions, and commercial offices. The buildings keeping good conditions along Ziyou Road and Minzu Road will be restructured as commercial offices.
b. Relax and Amusement Zone ( Sector 2)
This zone is bounded by Ziyou Road on the south side and Minzu Road on the west side. Its specific function will be offering amusement, services, offices and hotels. The Cultural palace of Tianjin municipality will be transformed in an high-level club to offer shows and various games becoming a place where you can meet people and enjoy yourself. Buildings along Boai Road will be changed in small hotels characterized by their italian taste for t0urists and business men. The Professional Institute at the crossroads between Ziyou Road and Minsheng Road will be changed in a multifunctional center with infrastructures such as managing units, international schools etc.
c. Policommercial Area (Sector 3)
These four sectors on the north side of Ziyou road will
be destined to commercial activities and services. They will form 4
middle-high level commercial area based on classical italian themes like
cookery culture, jewels and artistic objects, leather goods and suits.
d. Residential Zone (Sector 3)
In the commercial zone few palaces have been partly preserved, for example that 6 floors high recently built in Guangfu Road. Also independent entrances and exits of buildings themselves and necessary service structures will be preserved.
Italy is a long historical tradition country, and its buildings from
North to South have the hermetic style of Classicism and opening to
Romanticism. So, during the stage of planning Italian Quarter will be
divided in 4 functional zone, characterized by different styles. We have
the commercial exposition's zone which, because of its being close, is
inspired by architectonic style 
of
those cities of North Italy such as Milan, elegant and austere, with
Exhibition center as representative nucleus; the recreation's zone is
inspired by architectonic style of those cities of Center Italy such as
Rome, with Marco Polo square and Libertà street as representative nucleus.
Moreover, will be also restored Marco Polo Square, renamed Regina Elena
Square.
In the middle of the square, will be raised a Corinth column, with a
female divinity at the top, surrounded by statues and a circular fountain.
At the four cardinal points of the square, will be placed some aviaries in
western style. Near Marco Polo square there is a 2600mq exposition's area
which is going to reach a 20000mq surface becoming the biggest commercial
center of italian goods in all Asia. The exposition zone and selling in
bunks can offer communication's services, web administration, balance
sheet in foreign value, stockpiling and goods' transport , customs' papers
of entry and exit and other services.
The original squash court, now become the discotheque of Yigong zone, will
be restored, as well as the small garden close to Yigong, that will regain
its former Italian Style. Inside there will be also an old pagoda and some
Roman-Greek statues.
There's also the commercial zone, which will be inspired by architectonic
style of cities like Venice, romantic and open, with constructions on a
human scale which create an intimate ambient, which induces shopping.
Inside the commercial zone we forecast there will be 4 sectors: typical
restaurants, jewels' shops, handicraft products, fashion, leather goods
and other things. The zone will be crossed by Guangfu Road, thought as
commercial road with no cars' access. On the two sides of the street there
will be flowers' vessels and pillared loggia which link the different
buildings, bars, tea rooms, all this to contribute enforcing a commercial
atmosphere. While already present buildings are restoring and modifying,
the two side of pedestrian street will be broadened as lay-by and the
space of existing buildings will be utilized to broaden the bounds of
commercial zone. In the middle of the zone city square which enlarges
spaces destined to public activities. To enrich the flavor of the spaces,
we are also planning the center square of commercial zone at the beginning
of Minzu road, with a fountain, tram and other italian particularities
which enforce the function and characteristics of the zone. To a better
commercial atmosphere, among the sparse buildings which go along the
street one-two floors high buildings will be built. It's especially this
area that, embracing a 120.000mq surface, in its italian style buildings
has its main source. Inside 7 streets cross the area, any of them will see
shops to send made in Italy's suits, jewels, leather goods, restaurants,
food, handicraft goods, pieces of art, souvenir shop, a theater of italian
Opera, travel agencies, night clubs, european style clubs and other places
where you can enjoy yourself. A church and a school for foreign will be
built and all the services that regulate life, amusement, spare time will
be offered. According to Tianjin Municipality's intentions, the project of
structural renewing of the administrative basis of that zone and the
moving out of antique buildings will be completed towards the middle of
the year and if the value of the building couldn't be preserved, italian
style buildings will be built. The buildings along the roads of the
quarter will be used to develop different activities. There will be
dancing rooms, night clubs, entertainment parks, puppet theatres, beauty
centres, design centres, photo studios for weddings, European furniture
shops, banks, post offices etc. There will be also libraries with foreign
language books, an art gallery (with western canvas), flowers shops,
exotic craftsmanship shops, garments and leather articles shops, all Made
in Italy, and sport facilities. In the quarter there will be also
middle-high level hotels and residences in Italian style, spaghetti houses,
pizzerias, bars and cafeterias.
It's being planning also a touristic itinerary which includes the most
peculiar buildings, such as Yuan Family House, Liang Qichao's old
residence, Cao Yu's Residence and the Holy Heart Catholic Church. Will be
available also European styled hackney coaches to visit Tianjin's
touristic sites. The whole quarter will be very green, rich in lawns,
flower beds and all kind of flowers during the whole year. Lighting is
also very important in the context. Street lamps will be all Italian
styled, as well as the main buildings' lighting. There again, sign boards,
traffic signs, blazons, telephone boots, garbage cans, fire-plugs and
toilettes shall reflect the Italian style of that time.
Finally there's the industrial zone, which is 4 kilometers far from
commercial and touristic zone and that stays on a 50.000mq surface. Untill
up today on an area of 12.000mq' s factories have been built with electric
energy supplies, drag's systems, deposits and others, provided with all
things necessary to give hospitality to foreign operators and particularly
suited to investments of Italy's PMI.
Without
doubts it has been very important the work done by Agency to develop these
relationships between Tianjin Municipality and Lombardy and to carry out
Tianjin Italian business Park's project. Establishing political and
economic relationship between Italy and China, promoting and bringing out
italian culture and economy in Tianjin area where a series of cultural and
promotional initiatives have done, the Agency for China has had an
concrete and significant role not just to make the town planning scheme of
italian area - to carry out which, the constant presence of the Agency
through its offices in Tianjin is a security- but fundament it has also
been its contribute to italian societies' establishment on Tianjin
territory. Now, thanks to the help and assistance of Agency for China
Tianjin area gives hospitality to italian societies such as Saati,
Universal Selecta, Tenax that with Zanussi, present on the territory for
more time than the others,contribute to give to local industry a more
strongly italian character. We hope that this collaboration and promotion
could be also present in sectors like commercial and turistic ones, where
combining chine and italian forces we could reach a gorgeous success.
Tianjin Xiqing Economic Development Area
 The best place for your investment |
On 20th November 2002 Mr Roberto Formigoni, President of Regione Lombardia, reached Tianjin with a delegation of members from public and private enterprises, local entrepreneurs' organisations and county boards.
Together, they signed an important trade agreement with Tianjin municipality for the assignment of the Xiqing industrial area.
The 20 Km2 wide area will be used to locate the production of PMI (Small and Middle- sized Italian firms) which, according to Mr Formigoni, will be favoured by "an area directly created to meet their requirements and with excellent tax relieves."
The agreement was signed by Mr Formigoni, the Regione Lombardia's delegation and the County Governor Zhang Wo Ching at the end of a ceremony for the opening of Xiqing's industrial
district.
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According to the agreement, the industrial centre will mainly host small and middle-sized enterprises from Lombardy, all dealing with the mechanical, textile, clothing, and furniture sectors.
The numerous Italian investments in the area, almost reaching 110 million US dollar, and the existence of already operating Italian firms in the district, like FUTURA FURNITURE Co. Ltd and TENAX, proof Regione Lombardia's deep trust and interest in Tianjin municipality.
INVESTMENT ENVIRONMENT:
 Summary of Tianjin's Xiqing Economic Development Area (XEDA) |
Tianjin's XEDA was founded in 1992 with the approval of the People Government of Tianjin Municipality, under supervision of the People Government of the Xiqing Area of Tianjin Municipality. XEDA is placed south Tianjin's outer circle line. The whole area assigned to the project is 20 Km2 wide, with 8 Km2 already built: 6 Km2 for the industrial sector and 2 Km2 for the residential neighbourhood.
Tianjin's XEDA is located in a good area, near Beijing and Tianjin, with excellent conditions to develop the industrial and trade sector.
Tianjin's XEDA is committing itself to the creation of an investment environment that follows international regulations and the global market. After ten years of developing and building, Tianjin's XEDA is getting more and more perfect, and with its fast growing economic power it has become the preferential area for foreign investments, also because of the interesting financial advantages given by China's special economic areas.
Since its foundation, XEDA has attracted a large number of foreign investors in the area, interested in its favourable location, perfect basic infrastructures, interesting facilities and a friendly legal environment. XEDA actually host more than 300 foreign enterprises, with more than 2400 million USD worth investment. Great multinationals like Motorola, P&G, Panasonic Electronic, Samsung, Rohm Electronic, and Takeda Pharmaceutical have located there their electronics, communication, food, mechanics and bio medics
sectors.
 Perfect Basic Infrastructures |
Information and Communication: XEDA owns international standard advanced systems, with more than 40000 gates and the ability to supply ISDN e DDN to requesting enterprises, satisfying national and international communication needs, while offering diversified communication services. Soon a broadband communication network covering the whole area will be provided.
Water supply: western supplying lines at f600 ml, eastern supplying lines at f800 ml, double source through circular network, a daily supply of 80000 tons, continuous water supply in the whole area guaranteed.
Waste water: separate draining system for rainwater and wastewater, with three pumping stations wasting 11 m3/second.
Gas Supply: natural gas reaches users trough a network of pipelines, with a daily supply of 500000 m3.
Special Gas: American APCI built a gas factory in XEDA, supplying high- quality industrial gas, like oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, helium and argon through pipelines.
Free zone public warehouse: provides average warehouse, with steady temperature or humidity, 24- hours a day.
Logistics: American UPS, South Korean Samsung Tianjin Transport and the free zone warehouse provide XEDA's logistics.
Rescue system: inside XEDA there is a first aid "120" service, a fire brigade and a police headquarter, ready to help the enterprises located in the area.
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT:
 Favourable location |
Geographical location: Tianjin XEDA is located southeast from Tianjin municipality, 8 km away from the city centre, 15 km from Tianjin airport and 30 km Tianjin harbour. Three main streets cross Tianjin XEDA.
Environment conditions: XEDA is located in Tianjin's southern area, in a wide plain, 3.5 m above the sea, surrounded by many rivers, with a good air quality, and reaching therefore Tianjin's environmental protection
standards.
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Geographical structure: The ground can support a 8-12 ton / m2 weight. There are rich underground resources, and the outgoing underground water temperature, reaching 86 degrees, can be used in the area for heating and as drinking water.
Climate: Temperate, continental climate, with monsoons and a 12 degrees average annual temperature, with an average annual rainfall of 500 ml; the average annual evaporation is 1909,6 mm, the average atmospheric pressure is 1016,4 mill bar, the main wind comes from south- east, with an average speed of 4.5 m/
second.
INVESTMENT ENVIRONMENT:
 Efficient and complete services for enterprises |
Inside XEDA there is a service centre that includes government professional departments such as an office of industrial and commercial administration, a fiscal bureau, a labour office, all working on place, ready to help the interested investors.
XEDA also created three associations for foreign enterprises (Europe-America; Japan; South Korea-East Asia), in order to ease communication and favour exchanges between the government and enterprises, and among the same
enterprises.
Favourable policy to attract capitals and enterprises
Favourable fiscal policy: According to the current economic development area's fiscal law for the economic and technological development of costal areas, the foreign investment enterprises' income tax is 15%.
For foreign investment enterprises whose activity will last more than 10 years from the first investment year, the first two years are income tax free, whereas for the three following years the income tax is reduced to a 7.5%. There are no local taxes to be
paid.
To export enterprises that during the year have exported more than 70% of their production, there is a 10% discount on the income
tax.
Apart from the above-mentioned governmental favourable policies, XEDA also offers the following policies: All the enterprises… that are part of the XEDA subject index can also take advantage, apart from the "2 years tax free and 3 years discount on income tax", of a share of the sum intended for the government of Xeda during the first two
years.
Investment projects suitable for XEDA subject index, can take advantage of a share of the sum intended for the government of Xeda during the first two years right from the first sale, then they are offered the 50% in the next three years.
The high new technology national investment enterprises can also take advantage of two more years on the government share on income
taxes.
Expenses advantages: Inside XEDA, all the expenses for the approval of certificates from the State Council or the People Government of Tianjin are as low as possible and they do not include the expenses for the district and the interested departments.
Only part of the services is paid, in order to cover the expenses faced to provide the
service.
Policy on land use: All the investment project inside XEDA are contract tax free, and there are no charges for the use of the land, for the land entry, for the contract checking and for the contract services.
The planning and building's approval certificate is granted by the Estate Administration Office. The committee for the building area, which will then issue the necessary working licence, must approve every building and infrastructure project in XEDA.
Regarding the expenses for the record of a new building, a new estate, a transfer, an amendment and the third part rights, no sum for the area and no taxes on the contracts are
asked.
 XEDA's Jianfu Industrial Park |
XEDA's Jianfu Industrial Park is located inside XEDA. It was built by Xiqing Economic Development Area Construction Service Co. and it is 391'200 m2 wide.
48 standard industrial estates have been built, everyone organised as a single factory, ready to meet the many processing needs of the different firms. The factory width varies from 1000 m2 to a 20000 m2, so that users can easily adapt it to their needs. The industrial estate area of Jianfu Industrial Park is 200'000 m2 wide.
Jianfu Industrial Park's standard industrial estate offer a complete series of basic infrastructures, such as automatic heating boilers, water, electricity, combustible gas, communication lines and roads, in order for the factories to be as productive and profit- making as possible right from the start.
Jianfu Industrial Park grants You perfect basic infrastructures and an efficient after- sale service (rent). We are looking forward to see you settled in the Jianfu Industrial Park and to be able to build with you a most successful future.