Ms. Irene Pivetti was a member of the Italian Parliament from 1990 to 2001, and was elected President of the Chamber of Deputies from 1994 to 1996, the youngest speaker in Italian and European history. As a European politician, Pivetti has been committed to the cause of China-Italy friendship and the promotion of integration between Europe and Asia. She has been President of the Italian-Chinese Friendship Association since 2012. Her focus has been on strengthening Europe-Asia relations, especially developing cultural and industrial projects between Europe and China. Since 1997, the association has welcomed more than 80 Chinese delegations in Italy and set up representatives of Italian entrepreneurs in several provinces and cities in China.