Customers gesture at the eighth International Ceramics Exposition and World Ceramics Purchasing Fair held in Zibo, Shandong province, Sept. 16, 2008. [China Daily]

The eighth four-day China (Zibo) International Ceramics Exposition and World Ceramics Purchasing Fair kicked off Tuesday in Zibo, east China's Shandong Province.

The show is expected to attract 40,000 participants from over 30 countries and regions.

More than 1,000 ceramics enterprises will display their latest porcelain and pottery products and present new technologies at the 160,000-sq-m exhibition.

"The exposition is a pageant in ceramics circles that promotes exchanges between China and the world and fosters the industry's development in Zibo," said the city's mayor Zhou Qingli.

Sponsored by China Federation of Industrial Economics and China Ceramic Industry Association, the exposition displays a range of products including industrial ceramics, ceramics for daily use, artistic work? and these used in building.

Exhibition zones are organized according to the product categories.

More than 300 domestic and overseas buyers are expected to take part in the purchasing meeting held during the exhibition, Mayor Zhou said.

Zibo has established alliances with international ceramics associations, chambers of commerce and multinational purchasing groups.

A product design competition will also be held in four categories--- daily-use, arts and crafts, building and sanitary ceramics.

The latest designs by 423 ceramics artists from seven provinces are on display to promote innovation in the sector's technology, arts and materials. The oldest competitor is more than 80 years old and the youngest is just 9.

Academic meetings and forums will also be held with 500 domestic and overseas experts expected to exchange scientific and technological results.

Through its role of promoting the development of ceramics in industry and science, the event is now well known at home and abroad.

As one of the most influential industries in Zibo, the ceramics sector generates 40 billion yuan ($5.85 billion) in revenue annually through production of 860 million items a year, 60 percent of which are exported to around 80 different countries and regions.

(China Daily September 19, 2008)