China’s Porcelain Capital Wins Global Award for Sustainable Urban Development

Dragon Media News Desk

Jingdezhen, known as China’s porcelain capital, and four other cities have received the fourth-cycle Global Award for Sustainable Development in Cities. Jingdezhen was honored at the 2026 World Cities Day event, held on Saturday in Fuzhou, China, Xinhua reported.

The other award recipients are Addis Ababa in Ethiopia, Santiago de Cali in Colombia, Istanbul in Türkiye and Katowice in Poland. Also known as the Shanghai Award, the honor recognizes cities for achievements in sustainable urban development.

The event runs from October 31 to November 2. It brings together senior United Nations officials, government representatives, local authorities, international organizations, academic institutions, private-sector representatives and community networks to discuss shared urban challenges and successful practices.

In 2013, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution designating October 31 as World Cities Day, beginning in 2014. It was the first international day proposed by the Chinese government at the United Nations.

Porcelain, a major commodity along the ancient Silk Road, helped build cultural connections between China and the world. Jingdezhen has continued that legacy by combining cultural heritage preservation with creative renewal. Former factories have been transformed into cultural and creative centers, while old streets and historic neighborhoods have been preserved and revitalized.

Jingdezhen is home to more than 3,200 inheritors of intangible cultural heritage related to ceramic craftsmanship. The city is also listed in UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network as a City of Crafts and Folk Art.

China aims to renovate 1,500 old streets and factory compounds between 2026 and 2030, linking these areas with new industries and businesses to support urban development.

Yan Yuejin, deputy director of the E-house China Research and Development Institute, said transforming old streets and factory sites into cultural and creative districts can help expand dining, retail and entertainment businesses.