The 2014 Datong Jade and Rare Stone Culture Exhibition had its opening at the Heyang Art Gallery, in the city of Datong, Shanxi province, on May 16, with the head of the Datong Party committee and municipal publicity dep't, Ma Bin, on hand for the opening ceremony and a stone culture and Datong jade forum, that afternoon, where he said he hopes this exhibition will provide an opportunity for Datong jade to be seen nationwide and become a favorite of jade collectors.

The afternoon forum pulled in ornamental stone experts from across country to discuss the advantages and future development of Datong jade.

The vice-head of the China Ornamental Stone Association, Huang Yunbo, one of the experts, said that research on Datong jade should be combined with Datong's history and culture and integrated with its grotto culture for a complete industrial chain guided by policies and industry in products design, with a new industrial structure.

The exhibition runs through May 20 with sponsorship from the China Ornamental Stone Association, Shanxi Ornamental Stone Association and Datong publicity dep't.

Edited by Roger Bradshaw