If Geographical Indication (GI) products could talk, what stories would they tell about their past and present? The Bilingual Weekly launches a special column titled "If GI could talk," turning these "regional gems" into "talented storytellers" with the help of AI technology.
In English, the word "China" can be capitalized to refer to the country, or written in lowercase to mean porcelain. After thousands of years of development, porcelain has become a treasured symbol showcasing Chinese civilization to the world. In 2021, seven Chinese porcelain GIs were included in a China-EU agreement on GI protection and cooperation, earning recognition on the international stage. We first turn our attention to these seven porcelain GIs, and listen closely to their timeless melody connecting East and West, past and present.
Longquan Celadon
Hi there! I'm Longquan Celadon, a GI product of China. Don't be deceived by my calm and modest appearance—I'm the true ambassador of Eastern green. Back in the Song and Yuan dynasties, I was already a superstar, shining across seas along the Maritime Silk Road. Whether I am from Ge Kiln or Di Kiln, my traditional firing techniques are world-renowned, inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Today, I not only appear at state banquets and other prestigious occasions, but also win the hearts of young people through cultural and creative co-branding, and cross-industry collaborations.
Jian Bowl
My name is Jian Bowl, from Jianyang District, Nanping in Fujian Province. I am known as the "Pearl of Black Porcelain." As early as the Song Dynasty, I was the superstar of tea competitions, favored by everyone from the imperial court to ordinary households. Today, I continue the thousand-year-old firing craft of the Dragon Kiln, while embracing modern design to appeal to young people. My brand value now exceeds 16 billion yuan. With the dual GI protection, I showcase my signature artistry "one color before firing, a thousand hues after firing", amazing the world with my beauty.
White Porcelains of Dehua
Perhaps you've heard of "Blanc de Chine?" That's me, White Porcelains of Dehua. I'm as white as snow, as smooth as jade, and as translucent as fine silk. As early as the Song and Yuan dynasties, I was already a sought-after export. Today, I blend modern technology with techniques, and reach everyday households through creative designs. With the boost of GI recognition, I shine brightly on the global stage under a comprehensive protection framework.
Jingdezhen Porcelain
My hometown, Jingdezhen in Jiangxi Province, is world-renowned as the "Porcelain Capital for a Thousand Years." From blue-and-white porcelain to famille-rose porcelain and translucent porcelain, I've always embraced diverse styles. "White as jade, bright as a mirror, thin as paper, resonant like chimes" is my signature style. In the past, I traveled west along the ancient Silk Road, carrying Chinese culture across continents. Today, more and more international friends come to my hometown to explore the past and present of Chinese porcelain, keeping the flame of these thousand-year-old kilns burning ever brighter.
Ru Ceramic
Hey! Are you looking at me? I'm Ru Ceramic from the Central Plains, with my skin like the sky after rain and my face as smooth as jade. The Ru Kiln I came from was one of the Five Great Kilns of the Northern Song Dynasty. Even the emperor had to wait for artisans to deliver my ancestors to the palace. By the end of the Northern Song Dynasty, the Ru Kiln was destroyed in the wars, and fewer than a hundred of my siblings survived. Thanks to the painstaking research and dedication of generations of scholars and artisans, my traditional firing techniques have been successfully revived. Today, the transformation from ancient porcelain craftsmanship to diverse modern expressions has made me shine even more brilliantly.
Dangyangyu Jiaotai Porcelain
I was born in the kiln fires of Dangyangyu Village, Jiaozuo in Henan Province. The unique raw materials from the Taihang Mountains, combined with complex and meticulous crafting techniques, gave me an extraordinary character from birth. My body is "woven" from porcelain clays of different colors, transforming under the kiln's heat into distinctive patterns that connect inside and out, forming a seamless whole. During the Tang and Song dynasties, I once served as a royal tribute. Unfortunately, by the Yuan dynasty, I was forgotten amid the wars in the remote mountains. Today, I've returned to the spotlight as a recognized GI product of China.
Liling Ceramic
As the star of the porcelain world, I am dressed in the splendid style of Liling underglaze five-colored ware and celebrated for many shapes ranging from masterpieces for state banquets to refined pieces for everyday life. But I am not just good looking. My heritage runs deep: with kiln fires burning continuously since the Eastern Han Dynasty. Today, I represent a modern industry worth over 70 billion yuan annually, with products reaching more than 150 countries and regions. I also continue to innovate while carrying forward tradition by adopting new technologies and materials, and exploring creative models such as "GI & cultural tourism" and "GI & exhibitions." Staying true to tradition while driving innovation is in my DNA.
Please scan the QR code to read the Chinese version.
Chief Planner: Zeng Yanni
Coordinator: Cai Guangning
Writers: Xue Peiwen/ Tian Yihui/ Guo Siyuan
Translators: Tian Yihui/ Xue Peiwen/ Guo Siyuan
Designer: Wang Zhenjie
Supporters: Wang Rui/ Liu Xinwen
Cartoons in this edition generated by AI
（Editor Liu Shan）
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