Dehua county in East China's Fujian province cemented its prominence after being named World Ceramics Capital by the World Crafts Council (WCC) on Sunday, Southeast Express reports.

A WCC expert makes ceramics during a visit to Dehua county, Fujian province. [Photo/Southeast Express]

WCC bestowed the title to Dehua through a unanimous vote following a two-day investigation by an international expert panel on May 29 and 30.

Dehua met criteria across the board to win the honor, including splendid ceramic products, a long and splendid ceramic history and solid industrial infrastructure, said experts.

It is worth mentioning that in modern times, Dehua craftsmen not only learned older skills but also innovated, taking the ceramics industry to new heights and creating more economic and social value.

Ms Manjari Nirula, vice president of WCC South Asia, described the trip to Dehua as a dream come true, reminiscing that growing up she always hoped to come here to appreciate the famous Dehua Whiteware.

WCC experts visits a ceramics base in Dehua county, Fujian province. [Photo/Southeast Express]

What impressed her more, however, was that the county has creatively integrated ceramic culture into schools, as ceramics and its images are seen everywhere on the playgrounds, classroom, offices, hallways, blackboards and windows.

"It is extremely important for the sustainable development of skills. And there is a sound, friendly competition between craftsmen, which contributes to the boom of ceramics in Dehua," she said.

The two-day visit will remain a wonderful memory for WCC experts, who will promote Dehua ceramics across the world, said Wang Shan, WCC's executive chairman.

Winning the title of World Ceramics Capital will help Dehua expand its global market, said Wu Shensheng, Part Secretary of Dehua, adding that the county will partner with WCC to build a platform for ceramics development and cooperation along the modern maritime Silk Road.

Currently there are some 1,400 ceramics enterprises with more than 100,000 practitioners in Dehua. 80 percent of the county's ceramic products are exported to over 190 countries and regions, making Dehua the largest ceramic producer and exporter in China, and leading to a production value of 17.7 billion yuan in 2014, Southeast Express quoted a local entrepreneur.

Authorities in Dehua will roll out various programs to enhance its dominance in the industry, including ceramic tourism, business incubators and tapping into e-commerce.