DEHUA, Nov. 3 (Xinhua) -- A major porcelain-production center, Dehua in southeast China's Fujian Province has been making export porcelain since the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD). The plain white porcelain crafted here was later dubbed "Blanc de Chine (White from China)" by the French and gained worldwide fame.
As one of the traditional dragon kilns with long, thin and slightly sloped structures, the only remaining ancient kiln in Dehua is the Yueji Kiln, which has been burning continuously for more than 400 years. While the city preserves the ancient kiln, there are new-generation artisans seeking creativity on top of heritage.
Xu Jinbao, who'd rather define himself as a "technical artisan", is among such innovators in the porcelain manufacturer circle of Dehua.
Artisan Xu Jinbao refines the earthen base of a white porcelain vase in Dehua County, Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, Oct. 20, 2020. (Xinhua/Song Weiwei)
Artisan Xu Jinbao prepares an earthen base for white porcelain teaware in Dehua County, Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, Oct. 20, 2020. (Xinhua/Song Weiwei)
Artisan Xu Jinbao refines an earthen base for white porcelain ware in Dehua County, Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, Oct. 20, 2020. (Xinhua/Song Weiwei)
Artisan Xu Jinbao examines freshly fired white porcelain tableware in Dehua County, Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, Oct. 20, 2020. (Xinhua/Song Weiwei)
After graduating from Shanghai Jiao Tong University with a degree in materials science, Xu returned to Dehua and set up a technology company which aims at finding improved ceramic solutions by making tweaks to the ingredients.
Xu's ceramics products feature better heat-resistant, corrosion-proof and absorption performances than their older, traditional counterparts.
Artisan Xu Jinbao experiments on ceramic solutions at his own lab in Dehua County, Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, Oct. 20, 2020. (Xinhua/Song Weiwei)
Artisan Xu Jinbao prepares an earthen base for white porcelain teaware in Dehua County, Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, Oct. 20, 2020. (Xinhua/Song Weiwei)
Artisan Xu Jinbao leaves a batch of freshly fired white porcelain teaware to cool down in Dehua County, Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, Oct. 20, 2020. (Xinhua/Song Weiwei)
Artisan Xu Jinbao picks up a piece of freshly fired white porcelain teaware in Dehua County, Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, Oct. 20, 2020. (Xinhua/Song Weiwei)
Artisan Xu Jinbao examines white porcelain teaware in Dehua County, Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, Oct. 21, 2020. (Xinhua/Song Weiwei)
Artisan Xu Jinbao examines freshly fired white porcelain tableware in Dehua County, Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, Oct. 20, 2020. (Xinhua/Song Weiwei)
Xu Jinbao and colleagues have already debuted ceramic kettles which work on direct heat, and ceramic filters for water purifiers will be introduced soon.
Photo taken on Oct. 20, 2020 shows a white porcelain kettle developed by artisan Xu Jinbao that can work on direct fire in Dehua County, Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province. (Xinhua/Song Weiwei)
Photo taken on Oct. 20, 2020 shows a piece of white porcelain teaware crafted by artisan Xu Jinbao in Dehua County, Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province. (Xinhua/Song Weiwei)
Photo taken on Oct. 20, 2020 shows an array of white porcelain teaware crafted by artisan Xu Jinbao in Dehua County, Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province. (Xinhua/Song Weiwei)
An internet host selects from a collection of white porcelain ware crafted by artisan Xu Jinbao for a live promotion event in Dehua County, Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, Oct. 20, 2020. (Xinhua/Song Weiwei)
Like Xu Jinbao and his company, a growing number of Dehua-based porcelain enterprises have optimized production via technical upgrades, securing orders with a continuous supply of state-of-the-art, quality "Blanc de Chine" to global clients.
A worker makes porcelain ware using a machine at a porcelain factory in Dehua County, Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, Oct. 21, 2020. (Xinhua/Song Weiwei)
A worker examines earthen bases to be made into plant pots on an automated production line of a porcelain factory in Dehua County, Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, Oct. 21, 2020. (Xinhua/Song Weiwei)
A worker carries penny banks at a porcelain factory in Dehua County, Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, Oct. 21, 2020. (Xinhua/Song Weiwei)
A worker makes export penny banks at a porcelain factory in Dehua County, Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, Oct. 21, 2020. (Xinhua/Song Weiwei)
A worker makes unicorn statuettes at a porcelain factory in Dehua County, Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, Oct. 21, 2020. (Xinhua/Song Weiwei)
A worker colors a mug at a porcelain factory in Dehua County, Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, Oct. 21, 2020. (Xinhua/Song Weiwei)
A worker makes mugs at a porcelain factory in Dehua County, Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, Oct. 21, 2020. (Xinhua/Song Weiwei)
Supervisor: Liu Jie, Zou Shengwen
Producer: Gu Qianjiang, Wang Jianhua, Jiang Kehong
Director: Song Weiwei, Hou Dongtao, An Xiya
Photographer: Song Weiwei
Editor: Zhang Shanchen, Jin Linpeng, An Xiya, Jin Haoyuan, Zhao Yusi, Li Mangmang
Video Editor: Jin Haoyuan■
