On Wednesday, ahead of the 2024 Belt and Road Journalists Forum on August 31, participants from the Belt and Road Journalists Network (BRJN) visited Antao Town in Chongqing’s Rongchang District, immersing themselves in the beauty of a national intangible cultural heritage: Rongchang Pottery.
Antao Town, a national 4A-level scenic spot known as the “Ceramics Capital of Western China,” boasts a rich history of over a thousand years in pottery production. Rongchang Pottery, one of China’s four famous ceramics, is recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage.
During their visit, the journalists were welcomed into the pottery studio of Liang Xiancai, a national-level inheritor of Rongchang pottery craftsmanship. Liang guided them through key processes such as wheel-throwing and carving, offering hands-on experience in the art that has been passed down through generations.
“Mauritius, my country, enjoys a very good relationship in many areas with China. And one of those areas is handicraft, culture,” said Taluck Beeharry, Chairperson of Media Trust, Mauritius, after observing the kiln-opening ceremony. Beeharry further highlighted the potential for collaboration, noting the similarities between China’s craftsmanship and that of his home country.
“Today, I realized my dream to see this and I will invite African people to visit this wonderful village to see how culture can bring development to a country,” said Mbala. He added that China is a model for Africa in cultural conservation, cooperation, and strategic thinking.
He also shared that he is the chief editor of a newspaper, works with trading agencies, and teaches journalism. “So when I come back to my country, I will present this ceremony,” Mbala added.
Later in the afternoon, the group visited the Rongchang District Administrative Service Center, where discussions centered on innovative public service measures.
Mbala praised the efficiency and youthful energy of the service center. “This is a good example for all countries, even in Africa or America,” said Mbala. “You see, the first thing to note is that those people are very young. They use young people to work. It’s a good experience.”
He highlighted the convenience and accessibility of services in China, contrasting them with the challenges faced in some African countries. He noted that in Africa, obtaining certain services often requires long journeys, sometimes on foot, with the added risk of extra costs. In contrast, China offers one-stop processing of government services, making it much more efficient. He suggested that this model could be valuable for Africa to adopt.
Source: Bridging News
Article By Yuting Chen
Executive editor：Yuling Chen
Chief editor：Dongyan Chen