The picture shows Wang Yijun making final touches to the engraved plates for the six presidents on April 3.

On April 8, six foreign presidents attending the Boao Forum for Asia 2013 Annual Meeting accidentally received national gifts presented by the leaders of China – a unique plate from Zibo City in Shandong Province engraved with their self-portraits.

Commissioned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, these six carved porcelain plates feature a 16-inch diameter and were finely engraved by the Chinese ceramic artist Wang Yijun, who is also the vice president of the Chinese Carved Porcelain Culture Research Center and the International Association of Firewood Pottery.

Since 2003, Wang Yijun has undertaken the mission to engrave porcelain for the party and state leaders to present to foreign friends. In order to carve the porcelain with verve and vitality, Wang pays great attention to the news of the heads of state and carefully conjectures their characteristics.

Once receiving an order, he will immediately throw himself into his work. He focuses on the material and form of gifts as well as the integration of techniques and innovation, which has won him high applause from the leadership of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and makes his carving a favorite collection by foreign heads of state.

Wang Yijun was awarded as a young expert for his outstanding contributions by the Shandong provincial government.