First ICH insurance program launched in Ningbo

The first insurance program related to intangible cultural heritage (ICH) items was launched in Cixi, a county-level city in Ningbo, East China's Zhejiang province, on Dec 20, offering source-tracing services on Yue kiln celadon products.

Based on mobile internet of things technology, the insurance program offers online and offline quality-control services, such as authenticity certification and source tracing, following the complete production process of each Yue kiln celadon product, including design, carving, glazing, and firing.

The insurance program was initiated by the Ningbo branch of Ping An Insurance Property, the Cixi City Finance Development Service Center, and Cixi's Kuangyan town. Cixi Yue Kiln Celadon Co Ltd is piloting the program, while local authorities will provide subsidies for the pilot company.

"It is an important way to build a Yue kiln celadon brand,” said an official from the Cixi ICH Center.

The integration of the celadon industry with financial insurance will enhance the management on the production process and product quality of Yue kiln celadon companies, as well as promoting the development of Yue kiln celadon.

Yue kiln celadon was first made in the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220) in locations that include the Shanglin Lake area in Cixi, which was part of Yue prefecture in the Tang Dynasty (618-907).