China's ceramics economy shows steady growth, with veteran industry exhibitions supporting peers

　　Data shows that Chinese-made ceramics are exported to nearly 200 countries and regions worldwide, with annual output and export value ranking first in the world. Currently, China's ceramic output accounts for about 70% of the global total, with a total output value exceeding 210 billion yuan, and more than 1900 large-scale ceramic enterprises nationwide. Among them, daily-use ceramics account for about 70% of the world's total, decorative art ceramics account for 65% of the global total, and building ceramics also account for 1/2 of the world's total output. In 2008, China's tile output was 5.755 billion square meters, ranking third in the world in per capita output; in 2009, China's tile production capacity continued to expand, and output further increased, exceeding 6.6 billion square meters. The output of ceramic tiles in 17 provinces increased by more than double digits, with Inner Mongolia and Hunan Province exceeding triple-digit growth. Based on this figure, the per capita tile area in China reached 4.48 square meters, ranking first in the world, fully demonstrating the strong development momentum of China's ceramic industry.

　　China's position in the international building ceramics market is continuously improving, with the total output and export value of ceramic products increasing year by year. Among them, daily-use ceramics still occupy the most important position, accounting for more than 30% of exports; building ceramics account for the second largest proportion; and the exports of art ceramics, sanitary ceramics, and other types of ceramics all show a strong growth momentum. In 2009, China's daily-use ceramic output exceeded 15.008 billion pieces, an increase of more than 23.23% year-on-year; sanitary ware output exceeded 145 million pieces, an increase of more than 16.69% year-on-year; and wall and floor tile output reached 5.379 billion square meters, an increase of more than 15.41% year-on-year. The total output value of daily-use ceramic products exceeded 110.071 billion yuan, an increase of 16.2% year-on-year; industrial sales output value accumulated to more than 107.128 billion yuan, an increase of 16.6% year-on-year; and export delivery accumulated to 25.007 billion yuan, a decrease of 5.4% year-on-year, with exports accounting for 23.3% of sales.

　　In addition to the long-established production areas such as Foshan and Zibo, new building ceramics industrial bases are emerging in various parts of China. There are more than 30 building ceramics industrial bases of scale nationwide, and more than 200 new wall and floor tile production lines were built nationwide in 2009. The regionalization of building ceramics product manufacturing and product sales markets is also becoming increasingly apparent.

　　Since the outbreak of the global financial crisis at the end of 2008, all industries have been affected to varying degrees. In 2009, the Chinese economy entered a critical period of stabilization and recovery, with the ice gradually melting, and the overall situation of the ceramic industry also tending towards stability. Under such circumstances, "Ceramics China," the largest and most important industry event in the Asia-Pacific region, will carry out more powerful and effective global publicity and promotion activities based on existing resources, increase the invitation of corporate decision-makers and foreign buyers, and promote the comprehensive recovery of China's ceramic industry with the influence and comprehensive strength accumulated over decades of exhibitions.

　　The 24th China International Ceramics Industry Exhibition will be held from May 18 to 21, 2010, at the China Import and Export Fair Complex in Guangzhou. The exhibition is expected to cover 70,000 square meters, with more than 4,000 booths and more than 600 exhibitors from Italy, Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain, France, South Korea, the United States, Japan, Sweden, and other countries, bringing together world-leading technologies and the latest products. It is expected to attract more than 50,000 professional visitors from more than 60 countries and regions, mainly in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, to visit and purchase, becoming an extremely important trade and exchange platform for the global ceramic industry.