The Chinese government should stop the unauthorized use of the name "Jingdezhen" by overseas ceramics fairs to protect the image of the national treasure, say deputies attending the ongoing 10th National People's Congress (NPC) session in Beijing.

Jingdezhen City, in southeast China's Jiangxi Province, is known as China's porcelain capital. Ceramics production has prospered there since the Song Dynasty (960-1279) and Jingdezhen ceramic ware, renowned abroad as well as in China, is regarded as a great contribution to world civilization. The city's kilns are officially protected as cultural heritage sites.

However, "Many individuals frequently hold fairs overseas using the name 'Jingdezhen' or 'Chinese ceramics,' which has certainly damaged its good image. The low quality and low price of their products will have a negative impact [on the authentic ones] overseas," said Qin Xinlin, an NPC deputy of the Jiangxi delegation, in an interview with China.org.cn.

Qin is a senior master of Chinese arts and crafts and president of the Jingdezhen Ceramics Institute; the only college specializing in the art and technology of ceramics in China. He has been studying the art for more than 38 years, and many of his works have been exhibited in museums or given to visiting foreign dignitaries as gifts.

The local government has strengthened intellectual property rights protection of Jingdezhen ceramics. In 1999, the Jingdezhen Ceramics Association registered "Jingdezhen" as a trademark. But existing laws cannot regulate the fairs, since they are organized in foreign countries.

"Such fairs will undermine China's exports and damage the credibility of Chinese products overseas," Qin added. He believes that many other Chinese products face the same problem.

Several of the other NPC deputies from Jingdezhen are also concerned about the issue. At the Second Session of the 10th NPC, they have jointly asked the government to pass laws that would forbid such fairs.

"We hope that the Foreign Trade Law adds two more articles: Any overseas exhibition and sale organizers must handle registration and approval procedures through the State Council and China Council for Promotion of International Trade; Any violator should be fined or punished," Qin said.

The draft amendment to the Foreign Trade Law, which was submitted last November, will be delivered to the current NPC session for approval.

(China.org.cn by staff reporter Tang Fuchun, March 6, 2004)