China is not just a political and economic powerhouse – its design industry is steadily garnering worldwide attention, as seen at last year’s much talked about Beijing Design Week, and in the recent naming of China’s capital as ‘City of Design’ by UNESCO, in recognition of its drive to promote greater innovation in its design sector.

And from now till 20 August in Beijing, The New Italian Design 2.0 is being presented in Asia for the first time by the Beijing Industrial Design Center and the Triennale Design Museum.

To be held in the lead up to the next edition of Beijing Design Week in September, The New Italian Design 2.0 showcases an in-depth and broad overview of contemporary Italian design, offering a reflection on the economic, political, technological, and cultural transformations of our times.

The exhibition is carried under the direction of Silvana Annicchiarico and curated by design master Andrea Branzi, and the idea is not just about presenting products to the China audience, but to introduce ideas and concepts, basic requirements that would allow the Chinese design industry to mature on an international level.

The New Italian Design 2.0 comprises 282 projects: 165 deal with product design issues, 30 are graphic in nature, 54 focus on the body and decorative objects such as jewels, bags and accessories, 14 are pure research projects, 14 involve food design, and 5 cover interior design.

The New Italian Design 2.0 will be held from 16 July to 20 August 2012 at China Design Market – World Design Capital.