The Jingdezhen Handicraft Porcelain Industry Sites were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site on July 25 at the 48th session of the World Heritage Committee in Busan, becoming China’s 61st World Heritage property.

Following the decision, Vice Minister of Education Ren Youqun, who chairs the Chinese National Commission for UNESCO, said porcelain is an important part of both Chinese heritage and a shared cultural legacy of humanity. He described the inscription as international recognition of Jingdezhen’s historic contribution to the development of porcelain.

Ren said China would continue to support the conservation of world heritages and help other developing countries strengthen their capacity to identify, protect and manage cultural and natural heritage.

The nomination was submitted to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre by the Chinese National Commission for UNESCO, in cooperation with the National Cultural Heritage Administration, Jiangxi Provincial Government and other authorities, following approval by China’s State Council.