Italian named Shandong’s honorary citizen

(chinadaily.com.cn)| Updated : 2019-10-15

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Adriano Savi was named Shandong’s honorary citizen for his contributions to Shandong’s development. [Photo/iqilu.com]

Adriano Savi, an Italian man who has lived in Jining, Shandong province for 12 years, received the title of Shandong’s honorary citizen this year for his contributions to improving relations between China and Italy.

In 2002, Italy’s Savio Group established the Savio (Shandong) Textile Machinery Co Ltd in Jining. Adriano was dispatched to Jining in 2007 and serves as the company’s general manager.

Adriano’s Chinese name is Zhi Yade, which means wisdom, refinement, and morality. He has said that morality is the most important among these virtues.

Savio (Shandong) Textile Machinery Co Ltd has followed Savio Group’s lead in expanding and developing new products. It has become the leading enterprise based in Jining’s national base for new textile materials and provides many job opportunities.

Thanks to Adriano’s efforts, a global production center for high-end rotor spinners will be established in Jining and receive 80 million yuan ($11.30 million) in funding. The project is expected to have a turnover of 200 million yuan and generate tens of millions in annual profits.

Adriano has facilitated several meetings between Jining leaders and Italian ambassadors and entrepreneurs, having a positive effect on Jining-Italy relations.

He also helps promote Chinese culture in Italy, and his daughter is enrolled in school in Jining.

He was honored as Jining’s honorary citizen in 2013 and as the Shandong people’s goodwill ambassador in 2017.

The title of Shandong’s honorary citizen was created in 1994, and it is Shandong’s most prestigious award for foreigners. A total of 101 foreigners from 29 countries have received the honor.