CCTV-9 to air Chinese ceramics documentary

Porcelain, a two-part documentary about Chinese ceramics, will air in mid-July on documentary channel CCTV-9.

The documentary, which marks the first time that CCTV's production team has collaborated with the British Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum and the National Museum of China, focuses on exhibits in the three museums and explores Chinese ceramics' export to Europe and their importance in the development of European porcelain industries.

"Chinese porcelain was a cultural token that entered European social life as early as the 17th century," said Zhou Yan, vice-director of the channel.

"Through the program, viewers can have an understanding of what kind of role the artworks played in European religion and economy," Zhou said.

The documentary is led by Xu Huan, who directed non-fiction masterpiece The Forbidden City.