央视英语频道：《德化瓷器》 - 憨鼠网

点击收看在线视频报道

Dehua porcelain from southeast China's Fujian Province has been exported along the Maritime Silk Road for centuries. It's become world famous for its artistry and technical expertise, but local artists are changing this ancient technology for the sake of a better environmental future.

Famous for its ivory white glaze and finely carved figure, Dehua porcelain is considered one of the top three styles in China and has inspired the development of European porcelain-making since the 16th century.

"Our ancestors were not only exporting porcelain wares, but also our culture with great confidence. It was very fashionable to own and use Dehua porcelain. The first white porcelain made in Germany was an imitation of a Buddhist Goddess statue," Porcelain artist Su Xianzhong said.

Each generation of Dehua porcelain artisans has tried to improve on the local craft.

"Our porcelain-making technologies have always led the world. For example, the artisans invented these huge kilns to meet the increasing demand, so they could produce them at a large scale while maintaining quality," Zheng Jiangxi, president of Dehua Porcelain Association, said.

Dehua is also the starting point of the Maritime Silk Road, wher merchant fleets carrying porcelain treasures set sail for the west.

Chinese porcelain is one of the most famous and oldest goods exported from this country. Products from this porcelain kiln were shipped along the Maritime Silk Road to the rest of the world hundreds of years ago.

But modern times have called for this ancient art to be updated. In recent years, the local porcelain industry has been moving toward greener and cleaner production methods.

"In the past, it was more like we were selling our natural resources rather than our technologies, and often faced anti-dumping action in many countries. Thanks to new technologies, we've reduced the consumption of clay for tile production, and now have easier access to European countries, who have higher thresholds for environmental protection," Ou Jinfu, general manager of Oumek Ecological Building Materials, said.

Under China's "One Belt, One Road" initiative, local companies are hoping to reach broader markets, and bring top-quality porcelain products overseas like their ancestors.

[憨鼠责编：阿九]