Boshan district in Shandong's Zibo city has been included in the first group of national culture export bases to further promote the area's ceramics industry to the world. 

Twelve other cites, districts or zones are also on the list, which was jointly released by the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Ministry of Commerce, including Shanghai's Xuhui district, Jiangsu province's Wuxi city and the Beijing Tianzhu Free Trade Zone.

Zibo, hailed as China's "capital of ceramics", is well-known for its production and export of porcelain and colored glaze products. Many porcelain producers here have specially invited foreign designers or designed their products by combining Chinese and other elements so as to satisfy customers of different countries.

Boshan is an old industrial zone in Zibo. It is home to about 300 enterprises producing ceramics and colored glazes, whose output value reached 10 billion yuan ($1.54 billion) in 2017. 

According to the Boshan district government, the export of cultural products and services manufactured in the district reached $1.01 billion that year, with products being sold to over 100 countries and regions across the world.

More action at the government and policy level will be provided to facilitate the export of the district's porcelain and colored glaze products.

Boshan district in Shandong's Zibo city is listed in the first group of national culture export bases along with other 12 entries. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn] 

An ancient kiln site in Boshan district, Zibo, East China's Shandong province [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

An artist from Boshan district paints on a ceramic vase. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Visitors to an expo take photos of exquisite colored glaze ornaments produced in Boshan district. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]