A latest prize category addressed Italian personalities variously engaged with China in the fields of sport, culture, and entertainment.

"The China Awards provide a relevant opportunity to share the successful strategies of our companies," Italy-China Foundation Vice President Diana Bracco said.

Bracco urged Italy's economic and industrial system to "arm itself with high-level skills", explaining that science and technology are the best support to growth and the strongest drive behind Italian exports.

"The message our awarded companies are sending to authorities is that with China it is possible to compete, and in China it is possible to grow, provided we are able to innovate and invest in technology and human capital," she said.

Annually organized by Italy-China Foundation and Class Editori publisher in partnership with the Italian Chamber of Commerce in China, the China Awards 2019 took place under the auspices of the Italian Foreign Affairs Ministry and the Italy-China Chamber of Commerce.