Two expatriate porcelain collectors in Shanghai tired of being ripped off have joined a club to increase their knowledge of relics.

They are the first expats to join the non-government Shanghai Federation of Industry and Commerce Collection Club.

The foreign members, a Singaporean and an American, are ancient porcelain fans, whose interest in Chinese relics was sparked about a year ago.

Wong Wai Kwong, a Singapore national who is a banking official, said he would not have considered joining the group if he had not been cheated by counterfeits.

"As there was not much entertainment for me when I arrived, I developed the hobby soon after I arrived in Shanghai," he said.

"However, I bought lots of fake relics due to lack of professional knowledge."

During a free relics appraisal activity held by the club several months ago, Wong took his collection to experts who told him that most of the articles were of little value.

"How disappointed I was," he said. "But now things are different. I have learnt more knowledge from other club members about porcelain. I still wander into local antiques markets but will no longer be ripped off."

Following a year's preparation, the club was officially launched on Sunday and has 50 members, most of whom are entrepreneurs.

"The club aims to be the top collection group in the city," said Liu Chao, the club's chairman.

(Shanghai Daily December 24, 2007)