Zhang Jingjing, dean of the International School of Jingdezhen Ceramic University, in east China's Jiangxi Province, is a deputy to the 14th National People's Congress (NPC).

Zhang has put forward several proposals during this year's NPC session, including a proposal to support Jingdezhen's application to have all of its areas included on the list of UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization)'s World Heritage Site. She has also proposed the green development of the ceramic industry, and taking China's ceramic culture global.

"The cultural heritage application for all of the city's areas is intended to tell the story of Jingdezhen in a comprehensive way," Zhang says.

As a ceramist, who has been making ceramics for more than 30 years, and as dean of an international school, Zhang says her daily work is to promote the innovative development of and international exchanges involving ceramic culture. She has long contributed her wisdom and strength to the international development of ceramic education, and to the construction of the national ceramic cultural inheritance and innovation pilot zone, in Jingdezhen.

To better inherit and promote the fine ceramic culture, Jingdezhen Ceramic University in 2022 took the lead in establishing the "Ceramic Road" International Ceramic Education Alliance. It has since established ceramic-culture centers in several other countries.

During the NPC session, Zhang proposed the building of overseas ceramic-cultural centers be added to China's plan of building Chinese culture centers in countries along the Belt and Road, to take Chinese culture global, and to create a new platform for cultural exchanges.

Photos from Interviewee

(Source: Women of China)