Loong-shaped kiln in Yixing. [Photo/WeChat account: news-wuxixinwen]

The 20th session of the Standing Committee of the 14th Jiangsu Provincial People's Congress has now passed the Regulations on Ensuring and Promoting the High-Quality Development of Yixing Ceramics, marking a pioneering legislative move in China.

Set to take effect on June 1, the regulations focus on cultural protection and inheritance, industrial innovation and development, and service assurance. They provide strong legal backing for safeguarding Yixing's ceramic heritage, fostering innovation in the ceramic industry, and enhancing the city's brand.

For cultural resource protection, the regulations introduce a protection directory system. They detail the processes for conducting cultural resource surveys, compiling, filing, and publishing directories, and outline the criteria for inclusion and removal. Specific measures are also outlined for the protection of digital, rescue, regional comprehensive, and intellectual property.

In terms of promotion, the regulations call for organizing academic exchanges and other activities, supporting media outlets in launching dedicated columns to promote Yixing ceramics, and designating October each year as "Yixing Ceramics Promotion Month".

Regarding industrial layout, the regulations prioritize the advancement of Yixing's ceramic industry. They advocate for the development of advanced ceramics industries in sectors like new energy, national defense technology, and energy conservation and environmental protection, aiming to cultivate advanced ceramics industry clusters. The growth of e-commerce for Yixing ceramics is also encouraged and supported.

To boost corporate competitiveness, the regulations provide support for the headquarters economy and innovative leading enterprises within Yixing's ceramic industry.