Material innovation rejuvenates ancient industry

The rapid development of innovative materials is giving a new lease of life to one of China's most antique production centers - Zibo, a city that has been the hub of China's ceramics industry for more than 10,000 years.

Outlining the significance of the changes, Liu Huiyan, Party secretary of the Zibo municipal committee, said: "Zibo's innovative use of new materials is the sign of huge progress and has driven the development of the city's emerging hi-tech industry."

As part of an initiative to push back the boundaries of the ceramic sciences, the China (Zibo) International New Material Technological Forum was launched in 2002. Focusing on innovations in materials development, it has been held annually ever since.