China's Jingdezhen Porcelain Sites Added to UNESCO World Heritage List

The Jingdezhen Handicraft Porcelain Industry Sites in eastern China have been added to UNESCO's World Heritage List on July 25, filling a long-standing gap for porcelain heritage and becoming China's 61st World Heritage site. The recognition highlights the skills that remain integral to daily life in Jingdezhen, a city renowned for its centuries-old porcelain craft.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has emphasized the importance of protecting cultural and natural heritage, making heritage conservation a recurring theme during his inspection tours. In 2016, he outlined principles guiding China's heritage nomination efforts, stressing that candidate projects should showcase the historical and cultural value of Chinese civilization and present an authentic picture of ancient and modern China. This approach is reflected in other inscriptions, including the Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City, Beijing's Central Axis, and the Xixia Imperial Tombs.

The road to World Heritage status often involves years of preparation and trade-offs between preservation and development. For example, the Liangzhu ruins in Zhejiang Province were once surrounded by mining operations, which Xi, then Party secretary of Zhejiang, moved to halt in 2003. A highway project was rerouted to avoid the site, increasing distance and cost but preserving its integrity. In Beijing, the principle that "the old city can no longer be torn down" guided urban policy, leading to the preservation of hutong alleyways and siheyuan courtyards.

China is also using digital technology to protect vulnerable sites. At the Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang, researchers have created high-resolution digital records of murals and sculptures, generating over 600 terabytes of data. While digital archives cannot replace physical relics, they support research and public access without adding pressure on fragile artworks.

Heritage preservation has brought economic benefits. Nearly 15,000 workshops based on intangible cultural heritage crafts have been established, supporting employment for over 1.3 million people. At World Heritage sites like Jiuzhaigou and Wulingyuan, tourism revenue accounts for more than half of local GDP. By the end of 2025, China had over 7,000 registered museums, drawing 1.56 billion visits.

China's heritage strategy also involves international cooperation. Xi has noted that world heritage is an important vehicle for exchanges between civilizations. China has cooperated with international organizations and participated in joint projects, including the multinational nomination of the Silk Roads with Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. For Xi, heritage protection ensures continuity for future generations.

Back in Jingdezhen, the UNESCO inscription has changed the international status of the porcelain sites but not the rhythm of the craft. Preserving the tradition depends on whether the knowledge embodied in old workshops and kilns can continue to be practiced and passed on. Joining the World Heritage List is not a final destination but the beginning of a new chapter for the centuries-old industry. According to Xinhua, the listing reflects China's decades-long commitment to preserving cultural heritage.