Formez in China: Overview of the Study Visit

19/07/2006 - The fourth visit of Formez to the People’s Republic of China led by Hu Jintao - the cradle of civilization – has just concluded. The itinerant visit took place during the last ten days of June.
“If you wish to understand 2000 years of Chinese history, you must visit the Yunnan region, while Beijing will show you the history of the last millennium and Shanghai the last century” said a functionary from the Chinese administration during the preliminary stage of the journey. These are the phases of the programme organized by the Central School of the Chinese Government for the Formez delegation, the Italian training centre for support to the PA whose international department is currently committed to projects regarding 18 countries all around the world.
From the point of view of the Chinese Central School, the visit demonstrates to Formez the need for technical assistance for local Chinese administrations in order to establish a closer collaboration between regions. Currently, the Central School of the Communist Party cooperates with over ten countries, among which are the USA, Canada, France, Germany and the UK.
From June 20th to 22nd on the occasion of its visit to Beijing, Formez accepted the invitation of the National School of the Chinese Public Administration. This led to the possibility of participating in the Third Forum China-Europe on PA innovation where four Italian representatives gave speeches (Giulio Artegiani, Saveria Spezzano, Paolo Tola, Massimo Bagarani).
The National School of the Chinese Administration and the Central School of the Communist Party have cooperated with Formez for three years. Their collaboration gave birth to a China-Europe Public Administration project financed by the EU and to two five-year agreements which aim to enhance mutual cultural understanding through the exchange of experiences and publications. The topics for discussion primarily concerned environmental sustainability, local development and PA innovation.
Following the study visit of the Central School of the Chinese Party to Italy which was organized by Formez two months ago, a new topic regarding cultural heritage conservation was integrated. The delegation was particularly impressed by the improvement and restoration activities on Italian cultural heritage after visits to Pompei, Matera and the Castle of Frederick 2nd. Formez also included in the delegation Mr Francesco Monaco, a representative from ANCI, and Mr Rocco Messina from the Basilicata region.
When the Beijing Forum concluded, the visit proceeded with a summit meeting between the two institutes, which were represented respectively by the Deputy Chairman, Mr Enrico Borghi, and the Deputy Chairman of the School of the Chinese Party, Mr Sun Qinjiu. “We share the idea of a coordinated and sustainable development for maintaining peace among the populations, our environment and the cultural heritage which keeps our history alive. In this way, the institute I am representing, can offer to the School of the Communist Party, a support to PA innovation through local development” Mr Enrico Borghi said at the end of the meeting.
“80% of the Chinese population is rural, similar to the European population at the beginning of the industrial revolution. This means that we must give strength and impetus to the identity of single territorial areas, by paying attention to local traditions. So, the weaknesses can turn into strengths” said Mr Paolo Tola, Head of the Formez Branch in Cagliari and export in rural development. The meeting subsequently concentrated on the discussions on social development policies which are now in progress in China. The Chinese counterparts welcomed opinions and suggestions which the Italian delegates proposed and expressed their desire for a more concentrated cooperation in teaching and research.
The second stage of the study visit was to the Yunnan region. This is the sixth largest Chinese region and where a third of the ethnical national minorities (26 ethnics) have lived for 200 years.
In Yunnan the delegation met the only matriarchal community on earth to observe the different potential for sustainable development which the region offers.
The final visit was to Shanghai. At the end of this visit which was organized by the Central School of the Communist Party, it was clear that their objective was to present to Formez, some of the aspects regarding economy, society and Chinese administration according three development policies: the full improvement of the cultural heritage which has three main attractions (the Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City and the Stone Forest), the tourism promotion of some of the most valuable resorts in the rural areas through the enhancement of local ethnical customs (“theme” parks, Naxi music, local handicrafts) and the integrated approach which was adopted for large town re-qualification projects (the industrial area of Huan Pu, technological poles and residential centres of the new Shanghai).