Alessandro Albana
Research Fellow, Asia Institute (Bologna, Italy)Articles by Alessandro Albana
Society
‘Hanger war’ and more: Chinese merchants fight over logistics turf in Prato, Italy
In the city of Prato in Tuscany, Italy, incidents of crime involving the Chinese mafia are on the rise, not least in the the textile industry where feuds such as a “hanger war” among Chinese manufacturers have taken place. While the key fight is in the logistics arena, the overall atmosphere of tension has local officials on the alert. Italian academic Alessandro Albana surveys the situation.
Alessandro Albana
05 Dec 2025
Politics
EU-China summit: 50 years of ties, but little to celebrate
While contradictory signals from both sides have made expectations for progress on EU-China relations less straightforward, hopes for a breakthrough at the EU-China summit in Beijing are more than likely to be dashed, says academic Alessandro Albana.
Alessandro Albana
23 Jul 2025
Economy
Where does Europe go now? US retreat, China doubts and a military pivot
Caught between a disengaged US and a complex relationship with China, the EU is pursuing both rearmament and rapprochement — a precarious balancing act fraught with distrust and uncertainty, says Italian academic Alessandro Albana.
Alessandro Albana
23 Apr 2025
Politics
What Italy's likely exit from the BRI says about its relations with China
While Italy's imminent withdrawal from the BRI is a symbolic setback, the country still plans to engage China and reap the economic benefits. Would this be easier said than done with the departure from the MOU ruffling the Chinese and the need to keep within the lines drawn by the EU? Italian academic Alessandro Albana examines the issue.
Alessandro Albana
24 Oct 2023
Politics
One Union, many voices: The EU's fragmented approach to China
Europe's disunity may be working to its disfavour, says Italian academic Alessandro Albana. While Brussels and some EU member states emphasise "de-risking", there are other factors to think about, such as Europe's long-term economic relations with China and the possibility that China can play a role in bringing an end to the Ukraine war.
Alessandro Albana
03 Jul 2023
Politics
Italy's right-wing government can't make up its mind about China?
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her party seem to be adopting a see-saw position on China, notes Italian academic Alessandro Albana. In contrast to voicing strong criticisms in the run-up to the elections, the new right-wing government seems to be engaging China, not least with PM Meloni striking a rapport with China's President Xi Jinping at the G20 Summit in Bali. Do economic imperatives trump election rhetoric after all?
Alessandro Albana
04 Jan 2023