Jingdezhen, China's millennia-old 'Porcelain Capital,' is forging new connections in the 21st century as a melting pot for global creativity, according to Davide Agresti, vice mayor of Italy's ceramics hub Faenza. Speaking at the Global Mayors Dialogue in Jiangxi Province, Agresti highlighted how this historic city now drives cross-cultural innovation through clay.
"What began as a center for imperial kilns has become a meeting point for artists and entrepreneurs from six continents," Agresti told CGTN's Zhang Meng. He noted over 5,000 international creators now work in Jingdezhen's studios annually, blending traditional techniques with modern design.
The event underscored Jingdezhen's growing role in China's cultural diplomacy, with officials from 12 countries discussing creative industry development. Analysts suggest this cultural exchange creates tangible economic value – the city's ceramic exports grew 18% year-on-year in 2023, reaching $2.3 billion.
For business leaders, Jingdezhen represents both heritage preservation and innovation opportunities. The city's Ceramic Industry Park hosts 72 foreign-invested enterprises, while its annual International Ceramics Fair attracts over 100,000 trade visitors.
As dusk falls on the Chang River, where imperial porcelain once embarked on maritime silk routes, Jingdezhen's glowing kilns now light the way for a new era of global cultural dialogue.
