Chinese porcelain wares are seen at the official Jingdezhen porcelain flagship store in Istanbul, Türkiye, May 31, 2025. Türkiye and China on Saturday inaugurated the first official Jingdezhen porcelain flagship store in Istanbul, marking a step forward in cultural and economic ties through a strategic partnership between the Chinese city and Türkiye's historic ceramic hub, Iznik. The launch coincided with the signing of a cooperation agreement between Jingdezhen and Iznik, aimed at strengthening ceramic-focused exchanges between the two historic centers. The deal builds on a sister-city partnership established in 2021 and formalizes efforts to promote joint exhibitions, research, and trade initiatives. (Xinhua/Liu Lei)

ISTANBUL, May 31 (Xinhua) -- Türkiye and China on Saturday inaugurated the first official Jingdezhen porcelain flagship store in Istanbul, marking a step forward in cultural and economic ties through a strategic partnership between the Chinese city and Türkiye's historic ceramic hub, Iznik.

The boutique, located in Istanbul's upscale Fenerbahce district on the Asian side of the city, showcases a curated collection of fine tableware and decorative ceramics from Jingdezhen, a city in China's Jiangxi Province renowned for producing imperial porcelain since the Song Dynasty (960-1279).

The launch coincided with the signing of a cooperation agreement between Jingdezhen and Iznik, aimed at strengthening ceramic-focused exchanges between the two historic centers. The deal builds on a sister-city partnership established in 2021 and formalizes efforts to promote joint exhibitions, research, and trade initiatives.

Jingdezhen, often referred to as China's "porcelain capital," has been at the heart of high-end ceramic production for over a millennium. Its abundant kaolin deposits and refined techniques helped create the translucent porcelain that came to symbolize Chinese craftsmanship and luxury across global markets.

Iznik, meanwhile, rose to prominence during the 15th to 17th centuries under the Ottoman Empire, producing quartz-based pottery celebrated for its vibrant floral patterns. Influenced by Seljuk aesthetics and Chinese blue-and-white porcelain, Iznik ceramics became highly sought-after across Europe and the Islamic world. ■

Chinese porcelain wares are seen at the official Jingdezhen porcelain flagship store in Istanbul, Türkiye, May 31, 2025. Türkiye and China on Saturday inaugurated the first official Jingdezhen porcelain flagship store in Istanbul, marking a step forward in cultural and economic ties through a strategic partnership between the Chinese city and Türkiye's historic ceramic hub, Iznik.

The launch coincided with the signing of a cooperation agreement between Jingdezhen and Iznik, aimed at strengthening ceramic-focused exchanges between the two historic centers. The deal builds on a sister-city partnership established in 2021 and formalizes efforts to promote joint exhibitions, research, and trade initiatives. (Xinhua/Liu Lei)

A customer looks at Chinese porcelain wares at the official Jingdezhen porcelain flagship store in Istanbul, Türkiye, May 31, 2025. Türkiye and China on Saturday inaugurated the first official Jingdezhen porcelain flagship store in Istanbul, marking a step forward in cultural and economic ties through a strategic partnership between the Chinese city and Türkiye's historic ceramic hub, Iznik.

The launch coincided with the signing of a cooperation agreement between Jingdezhen and Iznik, aimed at strengthening ceramic-focused exchanges between the two historic centers. The deal builds on a sister-city partnership established in 2021 and formalizes efforts to promote joint exhibitions, research, and trade initiatives. (Xinhua/Liu Lei)

Chinese porcelain wares are seen at the official Jingdezhen porcelain flagship store in Istanbul, Türkiye, May 31, 2025. Türkiye and China on Saturday inaugurated the first official Jingdezhen porcelain flagship store in Istanbul, marking a step forward in cultural and economic ties through a strategic partnership between the Chinese city and Türkiye's historic ceramic hub, Iznik.

The launch coincided with the signing of a cooperation agreement between Jingdezhen and Iznik, aimed at strengthening ceramic-focused exchanges between the two historic centers. The deal builds on a sister-city partnership established in 2021 and formalizes efforts to promote joint exhibitions, research, and trade initiatives. (Xinhua/Liu Lei)

A customer takes photos of Chinese porcelain wares at the official Jingdezhen porcelain flagship store in Istanbul, Türkiye, May 31, 2025. Türkiye and China on Saturday inaugurated the first official Jingdezhen porcelain flagship store in Istanbul, marking a step forward in cultural and economic ties through a strategic partnership between the Chinese city and Türkiye's historic ceramic hub, Iznik.

The launch coincided with the signing of a cooperation agreement between Jingdezhen and Iznik, aimed at strengthening ceramic-focused exchanges between the two historic centers. The deal builds on a sister-city partnership established in 2021 and formalizes efforts to promote joint exhibitions, research, and trade initiatives. (Xinhua/Liu Lei)

Customers look at Chinese porcelain wares at the official Jingdezhen porcelain flagship store in Istanbul, Türkiye, May 31, 2025. Türkiye and China on Saturday inaugurated the first official Jingdezhen porcelain flagship store in Istanbul, marking a step forward in cultural and economic ties through a strategic partnership between the Chinese city and Türkiye's historic ceramic hub, Iznik.

The launch coincided with the signing of a cooperation agreement between Jingdezhen and Iznik, aimed at strengthening ceramic-focused exchanges between the two historic centers. The deal builds on a sister-city partnership established in 2021 and formalizes efforts to promote joint exhibitions, research, and trade initiatives. (Xinhua/Liu Lei)