When it comes to porcelain, the name "Jingdezhen" has always stood for expert craftsmanship. For centuries, the town monopolized the manufacture of products made from clay and fire for the Imperial household. And this week, an international porcelain expo has opened in the ancient town.

The event was organized by China's Ministry of Commerce. Taking part are more than 400 leading porcelain manufacturers from 17 countries and regions across the world. This year, replicas of ancient pieces proved the most popular at the expo. Now in its fifth year, the annual event displayed a special section dedicated to local craftsman. Jingdezhen, located in the northeast corner of Jiangxi province, is a mecca for famous Chinese porcelain.

It boasts a sixteen-hundred year ceramic-making tradition. Over the centuries the community manufactured porcelain for several Chinese imperial dynasties. The town was privy to the best raw materials and the finest craftsmen during the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. Local kilns were once major exporters of some of the world's finest ceramics.