China and Italy released a three year action plan to strengthen economic cooperation during Premier Wen Jiabao's state visit to Italy in October, 2010. Both governments listed collaboration on sci-tech innovation as a priority and prepared to establish three inter-governmental centers, namely China-Italy Design and Innovation Centre (CIDIC), China-Italy Technology Transfer Centre (CITTC) and China-Italy E-Government Centre (CIEGC).

In the past six months, MOST and the Italian Ministry for Public Administration and Innovation have been working hard on the preparation of CIDIC and CITTC, making innovation collaboration a highlight of the bilateral relations. Mr. Renato Brunetta, Minister for Public Administration and Innovation attended the launching ceremony of CIDIC and CITTC during his visit to China during April 21-25.