The ancient kilns of Jingdezhen in eastern China, which have produced world-renowned porcelain for more than 2,000 years, have been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List, recognising the city’s living ceramic tradition and China’s efforts to preserve its cultural legacy.
The inscription of the Jingdezhen Handicraft Porcelain Industry Sites reflects years of conservation work championed by Chinese President Xi Jinping, who has consistently emphasised protecting and promoting the country’s traditional culture.
During a 2023 visit to Jingdezhen, Xi toured historic kiln sites and met fourth-generation porcelain craftsman Sun Lixin. When Xi asked whether he painted from a design or by instinct, Sun replied, “It’s all in my heart.”
Praising the family’s dedication, Xi said, “Devoting one’s entire life to a single craft, with generations of a family committed to the same pursuit, is no simple undertaking.” He added, “The fine traditional culture passed down by our ancestors is something we must continue to hold in our hands, adapt to the times, and carry forward.”
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Xi’s support for ceramic heritage dates back to his time in Zhejiang province, where he promoted the preservation of Longquan celadon. His broader cultural preservation efforts have also contributed to the inclusion of more Chinese sites on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
“Protecting, preserving and making good use of these invaluable treasures is our shared responsibility,” Xi once said. “It is also essential to ensure the continuity of human civilisation and advancing sustainable development around the world.”
Beyond its artistic value, Chinese porcelain has long connected civilisations through trade and cultural exchange. Xi has frequently used porcelain as a symbol of dialogue between cultures, showcasing historic pieces during international events and presenting porcelain as state gifts.
Ahead of a 2019 cultural exhibition in Beijing, Xi described a rare Yuan Dynasty blue-and-white porcelain vase as “the panda of ceramics”. In a 2018 article before visiting Portugal, he wrote, “China’s blue and white porcelain, which was first shipped to Portugal centuries ago, inspired a fusion of Chinese and local techniques, producing a unique form of art, Azulejo.”
Experts say Chinese ceramics have significantly influenced global art, particularly in Europe. Xi has also stressed that cultural exchanges enrich civilisations, saying, “Such exchanges and mutual learning form an important drive for human progress and global peace and development.”
Xinhua
