The 11th International Ceramics Exposition and New Materials Technological Forum will be held on September 6 in Zibo, a city in the central Shandong province. The city has the reputation as the "northern capital of ceramics" with a history of producing the objects for more than 1,000 years.

The four-day event features a modern celebrated ceramics show, a porcelain products auction, a cultural industry show, an investment and trade fair, an international ceramic tiles purchasing fair and a series of cultural and tourist activities.

It is expected to attract over a thousand leading ceramic manufacturers around the world. The 300,000-square-meter exhibition hall will showcase about 20 thousand varieties of fine products, including high-tech ceramics, porcelains for daily use, building ceramics, color glazed pottery and ceramic crafts.

The annual event began in 2001 and has grown into an important international gathering of the ceramic industry for technical exchanges and business opportunities. Last year the event drew a total turnover of 3.5 billion yuan ($548.45 million).

By Wang Qian (China Daily Shandong Bureau)

Edited by Chen Zhilin and Tania Lee