The Chinese government should stop the unauthorized use of the
name "Jingdezhen" by overseas ceramics fairs to protect the image
of the national treasure, say deputies attending the ongoing 10th
National People's Congress (NPC) session in Beijing.
Jingdezhen City, in southeast China's Jiangxi
Province, is known as China's porcelain capital. Ceramics
production has prospered there since the Song Dynasty (960-1279)
and Jingdezhen ceramic ware, renowned abroad as well as in China,
is regarded as a great contribution to world civilization. The
city's kilns are officially protected as cultural heritage
sites.
However, "Many individuals frequently hold fairs overseas using
the name 'Jingdezhen' or 'Chinese ceramics,' which has certainly
damaged its good image. The low quality and low price of their
products will have a negative impact [on the authentic ones]
overseas," said Qin Xinlin, an NPC deputy of the Jiangxi
delegation, in an interview with China.org.cn.
Qin is a senior master of Chinese arts and crafts and president
of the Jingdezhen Ceramics Institute; the only college specializing
in the art and technology of ceramics in China. He has been
studying the art for more than 38 years, and many of his works have
been exhibited in museums or given to visiting foreign dignitaries
as gifts.
The local government has strengthened intellectual property
rights protection of Jingdezhen ceramics. In 1999, the Jingdezhen
Ceramics Association registered "Jingdezhen" as a trademark. But
existing laws cannot regulate the fairs, since they are organized
in foreign countries.
"Such fairs will undermine China's exports and damage the
credibility of Chinese products overseas," Qin added. He believes
that many other Chinese products face the same problem.
Several of the other NPC deputies from Jingdezhen are also
concerned about the issue. At the Second Session of the 10th NPC,
they have jointly asked the government to pass laws that would
forbid such fairs.
"We hope that the Foreign Trade Law adds two more articles: Any
overseas exhibition and sale organizers must handle registration
and approval procedures through the State Council and China Council
for Promotion of International Trade; Any violator should be fined
or punished," Qin said.
The draft amendment to the Foreign Trade Law, which was
submitted last November, will be delivered to the current NPC
session for approval.
(China.org.cn by staff reporter Tang Fuchun,?March 6,
2004)