UNESCO Adds Jingdezhen Porcelain Industry Sites to World Heritage List

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization added the Jingdezhen Handicraft Porcelain Industry Sites to the World Heritage List on July 25, 2026. The decision occurred during the 48th session of the World Heritage Committee in Busan, South Korea. This designation marks China's 61st World Heritage site and the first time a Chinese industrial heritage site has received this recognition.

Located in Jiangxi Province, the property covers 1,979 hectares and comprises five core areas, including the Town Area Porcelain Production Center and various clay and stone mining sites. The system flourished from the 10th to the 19th centuries, significantly impacting the global ceramic industry and the European chinoiserie style. Representing the Chinese government, Rao Quan pledged to continue the sustainable use and protection of the sites in cooperation with UNESCO.

The inscription follows a period of heightened global engagement, including a June-July 2026 congress of the International Academy of Ceramics in the city. The designation also aligns with priorities set by Xi Jinping, who during an October 2023 inspection of the porcelain capital emphasized preserving the city's cultural legacy through creative design and research. During that visit, the president met with artisan Sun Lixin to discuss the importance of craftsmanship in maintaining the city's global reputation.