The history of China holds a deep fascination and over three millennia the greatness of this country has been constantly reaffirmed. The world has sought the roots of this greatness but has all too often seen this country as a conflictive presence compared to the independent processes of Chinese history. The evolution of civilizations follows the natural movement of things from East to West. Things are born in the Orient, spread to the West and are there consumed, as has happened with all the great movements of culture, society, art and religion. When the China of the twenty-first century turns with all its economic and creative strength towards Europe, it becomes necessary for Europe to participate in the process of growth that has taken place in China over the centuries. From this derives the necessity for a true understanding of that process that has expressed itself in the originality of Chinese culture throughout the long succession of the "Heavenly" Dynasties: the founding millennium of the civilization from 221 B.C. to 960 A.D., the globalizing vision of the heirs of Genghis Khan in the period up to 1368, the refinements of the Song, swept away by Kublai Khan at the time of Marco Polo's presence in China, the apogee of the Ming up to 1644 and finally the great Manchu Empire which came to an end in 1911. The initiative of the Cassamarca Foundation, in accordance with the ideas of the Chinese Academy of International Culture, to present the development and affirmation of this Civilization in four major biennial exhibitions is therefore of profound interest and importance. For our part, we hope that new relationships and collaboration can be set up between Europe and China. Through this initiative, Italy, the birthplace of the Renaissance, is confident that it can contribute to peaceful relationships and cultural ties with the entire Asian continent.

AVV. ON. DINO DE POLI