Many foreigners come to know of Shandong Province in the north China through its famous Taishan Mountain and Weifang Kites. What they don’t realize at first is that it is also home to famous pottery and porcelain. Located in the center of the province, Zibo has long been known as the City of Porcelain in north China. Today, Zibo porcelain is not merely an art, but also an industry. The Zibo International Porcelain Exposition to be held in April 2001 offers a grand stage for the city to present itself to the whole world.
Zibo porcelain production boasts a history of over 8,500 years, dating back to the Neolithic Period, and it has fostered many famous types of porcelain through the dynasties. After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, Zibo artisans have created many innovative types of porcelain to enrich its diversity. Many exquisite Zibo porcelains have found a niche in the Zhongnanhai (where the country’s top leadership resides and works) and the Great Hall of the People. Zibo’s representative porcelain, the raindrop glazed porcelain, derives its name from scattered silver dots on the black glaze, and is highly prized in Japanese tea art.
Zibo is one of China’s “Three Construction Material Bases” and ranks third in production terms. Currently, the city has 322 porcelain manufacturers with a total work force of 88,000. Its 300 face-brick production lines have an annual production capacity of about 210,000,000 cubic meters, making up 12.4 percent of the national total.
In the process of Zibo’s economic internationalization, porcelain will also play a key role. In April 2001, it will host the International Porcelain Exposition, during which a series of cultural activities and trade promotions will be held.
Visitors can enjoy many famous ancient porcelain artifacts as well as modern showpieces. Famous Zibo artists have also contributed special pieces for the occasion.
A porcelain fair will also be held along with the exposition. Covering an area of 5,000 square meters, the fair is divided into two divisions. The domestic division receives famous porcelain products within China, including those from Jingdezheng of Jiangxi Province, Foshan of Guangdong Province and Dehua of Fujian Province. The international division is designated for representative porcelain products from over a dozen countries worldwide. Other trade-related activities are the 21st Century International Porcelain Development Forum, the International Tourism Forum and the New Millennium Porcelain Contest.
During the exposition, visitors will also have the chance to try their hand at porcelain making under the tuition of famous artisans.
Zibo plans to develop the porcelain culture exhibition into a leading porcelain culture and art center in China. And hopefully, the next time you come to Shandong, Zibo will be a must to visit.
(CIIC by Gao Kun 03/23/2001)
