The bridge refers to the actual one over the Messina Strait that will connect the island to mainland Italy when ready. The project will be displayed through a blueprint of the structure and a virtual tour. A multimedia presentation promoting cultural and natural tourism in the island will include the Sicilian sites currently on Unesco’s Cultural Heritage list. The exhibition also has the purpose of promoting a number of sites that have presented their candidature to be included in the Unesco list: the Arab-Norman cities of Palermo, Monreale and Cefalù, as well as sites dating back to the Punic-Phoenician epoch such as Mozia and the island of Pantelleria. Sicily is also bringing to Shanghai a number of copies of the rare 17th century volume “Senarum Scientia Polico-Moralis” by the Jesuit Prospero Intorcetta - originally from Piazza Armerina and missionary to China - whose translation of Confucius’ works represents a remarkable contribution to the understanding of China’s millenary culture from a Western point of view. Sicily meets China.

There are great expectations from both sides: Visa facilitation procedures are being discussed, as well as academic exchanges and cooperation in studies for young researchers. Agreements will certainly include economic matters and possibilities of cooperations with local enterprises. There are rumors about the identification and possible constitution, on the Sicilian territory, of a harbor entirely dedicated to the storage and distribution of the Chinese exports with European destination.