Jingdezhen porcelain sites' UNESCO inscription marks new starting point

The inscription of the Jingdezhen Handicraft Porcelain Industry Sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List is not the end of heritage conservation efforts, but a new starting point for better preserving and carrying forward cultural heritage, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said on Monday.

The UNESCO World Heritage Committee adopted by consensus on Saturday a decision to inscribe the Jingdezhen Handicraft Porcelain Industry Sites on the World Heritage List during its 48th session in Busan, the Republic of Korea. The inscription brought the number of World Heritage sites in China to 61.

Lin said the sites comprise representative remains of Jingdezhen's handicraft porcelain production system from the 10th to the 19th centuries. They demonstrate the development and innovation of Chinese porcelain-making techniques, porcelain art and the porcelain industry, and bear witness to China's profound influence on the development of the global handicraft porcelain industry and on exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations.

The successful inscription reflects the international community's full recognition of China's work in conserving and developing its World Heritage sites, he said.

China stands ready to work with the international community to further implement the Global Civilization Initiative, earnestly fulfill its obligations under the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, and actively participate in global governance concerning world heritage, Lin said.

China will contribute its wisdom and strength to promoting exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations worldwide, he added.