Exhibition brings China's porcelain heritage to US

For Daria Harnaha, a recent graduate in international relations and public communications with a passion for art, her first encounter with Dehua porcelain in San Gabriel, California, was nothing short of breathtaking.

"I really liked the entire exhibition. It was absolutely great and truly incredible. I enjoyed all the details, and I've never seen craftsmanship like this before," she told China Daily. "The presentations were so touching, and hearing the stories and history behind the artists, how they grew and succeeded, was really incredible."

Harnaha said the experience has increased her interest in visiting China, citing the country's "unique history, architecture, and the politeness and organization of its people."

Organized by Dehua county in Fujian province, the exhibition, titled The Aesthetics of Harmony: Blanc de Chine, Porcelain from Dehua, features more than 100 exquisite porcelain works transported from Quanzhou city, a historic hub of the ancient Maritime Silk Road, and the administrative region encompassing Dehua.

The exhibition, held on Nov 21 in San Gabriel, a city in Los Angeles county, introduced American audiences to one of China's most celebrated craft traditions. The city's mayor, Denise Menchaca, praised the showcase for its role in promoting global cultural exchange.

"The amazing work of preserving and sharing cultural heritage is deeply meaningful and truly appreciated," Menchaca said at the event.

"It reminds us that art is more than beauty, it is a connection," she continued. "Porcelain traveled across the ancient Maritime Silk Road long before our modern world, carrying ideas, traditions and stories from East to West. Today, that same symbol of harmony stands before us as a bridge for continued friendship, appreciation and understanding."

The event also prompted reflections on cultural preservation from local community leaders.

Gay Yuen, board chair of Friends of the Chinese American Museum, shared personal anecdotes about the shift from traditional porcelain to modern plastic wares, emphasizing the importance of passing on cultural heritage.

"What is so beautiful about our culture? Even though we're here in the United States, our roots are in China; and even for those whose roots are not in China, we want to share the beauty of our culture with people who are not Chinese," Yuen said.

One of China's most famous porcelain centers, Dehua's local ceramic industry emerged as early as the late Tang Dynasty (618-907). By the Song Dynasty (960-1279), Dehua's porcelains — renowned for their jade-like texture and masterful sculptural craftsmanship — were already being exported along the Maritime Silk Road to East and Southeast Asia, Northeast Africa, the Middle East, Europe and the Americas.

Today, Dehua has become a global powerhouse in ceramic artware production, according to Fang Junqin, a senior advisor to Dehua county.

"We have more than 4,500 ceramic enterprises employing over 100,000 people, and its products are sold in more than 190 countries and regions," Fang told visitors during the exhibition.

The county has established nine promotion and exhibition centers worldwide, making it China's largest production and export base for ceramic handicrafts. It has also developed extensive cross-border e-commerce operations and overseas warehouse networks as part of its internationalization strategy.

"Our ceramic exports have transformed from traditional OEM (original equipment manufacturer) manufacturing to independent brands, high-end customization and cultural export," Fang said.

The US exhibition tour features 120 pieces, from fine art porcelain to everyday and Western-style wares. Each work, Fang said, reflects the skill, dedication and innovative spirit of Dehua's ceramic artisans.

"These works allow the American public to experience Dehua white porcelain up close, appreciating its inherent Eastern aesthetic and contemporary artistic innovation," Fang said. "We hope to further expand our cooperation with the US in ceramic art, design innovation, brand building and industrial collaboration, achieving greater win-win development."

Noting that Dehua porcelain embodies not only China's rich cultural heritage but also its sophisticated modern craftsmanship, Chinese deputy consul general Huang Hongjiang added that China's upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) presents wide-ranging opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation with the US in trade and investment.

At the event, Dehua representatives signed memorandums of understanding for strategic cooperation with the China General Chamber of Commerce - Los Angeles and Thunder International Group, aiming to enhance cross-border supply chains and expand overseas markets.