Iraqi delegates experience celadon throwing in Longquan in Lishui, Zhejiang province. [Photo/WeChat account: lqgovwx]

An Iraqi delegation visited Longquan, a county-level city in Lishui, Zhejiang province, on Sept 19 to explore its celadon and sword industries and traditional craft innovation.

At the Longquan Celadon Museum, delegates reviewed the history of Longquan kilns, traditional firing techniques, and archaeological findings, praising the exquisite celadon works. At the century-old Shen Guanglong Sword Workshop, they watched traditional sword-making.

In the Wang'ou Taoxichuan Cultural and Creative Block, the delegation examined cultural and creative incubation, livestream e-commerce, and international cultural exchange.

They learned about efforts to industrialize sword and celadon production, make it more youthful and international, tried celadon throwing, and selected cultural creative gifts.

Iraqi delegates view Longquan sword in Lishui, Zhejiang province. [Photo/WeChat account: lqgovwx]

The head of the delegation praised Longquan for integrating intangible cultural heritage protection with industrial development. He said Longquan found a distinctive path by using its celadon and sword resources, offering a vivid example of China's governance.

Karrar Anwar Al-Bdeery, policy adviser to the chief of staff of Iraq's Office of the Prime Minister, said Longquan left a special impression. He attributed its lasting traditional crafts to a distinctive path and local people's craftsmanship.