Li Xiaoping (2nd from L), director of Xiamen Foreign Affairs Office, and Massimo Barbadoro (2nd from R), deputy mayor of Valenza in Italy, pose for a picture at the inauguration ceremony of the Union of GAIA on July 16. [Photo/fao.xm.gov.cn]

Massimo Barbadoro, deputy mayor of Valenza in Italy and president of the city's Jewelry Innovation Center, attended the inauguration ceremony of an international jewelry art alliance in Xiamen, East China's Fujian province, on July 16.

The Union of GAIA was co-launched by Valenza Jewelry Innovation Center and Xiamen-based cultural company Yushu Lihong.

Barbadoro is confident about the establishment of the union, expecting mutually beneficial cooperation with Xiamen in high-end cultural industries by combining the advantages of both sides in traditional crafts, innovative development and marketing.

According to Barbadoro, Valenza has been dealing with jewelry for more than 200 years and is home to numerous outstanding designers and metalworking masters. Approximately 60 percent of Italian jewelry exports come from the city.

Barbadoro hopes to promote Valenza's jewelry to the world by attending a series of international exhibitions and activities in Xiamen, including the China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT), Cross-straits Cultural Industries Fair, and Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival.

Li Xiaoping, director of the Xiamen Foreign Affairs Office, said at the ceremony that Valenza is reputed for its strong gold and jewelry industries, while Xiamen also has budding gold and jewelry industries.

Li expects to further cooperate with Valenza in jewelry and innovative cultural industries with the help of the Union of GAIA.

Located in the Italian region of Piedmont, Valenza is home to more than 1,000 jewelry companies specializing in design, production, training and exhibitions, including the production and design bases of renowned jewelry brands Bvlgari and Cartier.

Massimo Barbadoro, deputy mayor of Valenza in Italy, hopes to promote Valenza's jewelry to the world by participating in a series of international activities in Xiamen. [Photo/fao.xm.gov.cn]