A torch bearer hands over the fire from Kuzhai pit to another bearer in Jiefu township in Yongchun county in Quanzhou on Nov 23. [Photo/ycxww.cn]

As one of the activities of the 4th Maritime Silk Road International Arts Festival, an ignition ceremony and a cross-Straits ceramic master creation exchange activity were held in Jiefu township in Yongchun county in Quanzhou, East China's Fujian province on Nov 23.

The ceremony attracted many porcelain lovers and merchants from both sides of the Taiwan Straits.

The fire of the ignition ceremony was taken from the birthplace of original celadon in the Xia (c. 21st century-16th century BC) and Shang (c. 16th century-11th century BC) dynasties - the Kuzhai pit, which used the most primitive way of drilling wood to make fire.

The priest passed the torch to the first torch bearer, who was then led down the mountain by a dragon dance. After that, the other 29 bearers handed over the torch one after another along the route.

The 30 bearers were mainly local ceramic entrepreneurs and masters from both sides of the Taiwan Straits.

"We come to Jiefu township to trace the origin of the ceramic industry with an attitude of seeking advice. The event highlights the common mission of the fine cultural traditions of both sides of the Taiwan Straits," said the head of the pottery association of Taiwan's Chiayi county, surnamed Chen.

In the cross-Straits ceramic master creation exchange activity, cross-Straits ceramic masters discussed the culture and ceramic creation of the two sides of the Taiwan Straits, and offered suggestions for the development of the ceramic industry in Jiefu.

Jiefu township has a history of making ceramics of more than 3,700 years. In recent years, it took this as an opportunity and has been vigorously developing the ceramics industry.

The town has introduced more than 100 ceramic enterprises. The main products include tea sets, bowls and sanitary ware. The daily output of tea sets reaches more than 200,000, accounting for about 30 percent of the national sales market.