Held concurrently with the opening of the China Ceramics Industry Headquarters' opening, YATAO (the 12th China International Ceramic Fair) attracted more than 400 exhibitors and thousands of visitors from all over the world. According to organizers, attendance was up 9.97-percent over the Spring 2008 show.

Chinese government officers, presidents of national and international ceramic associations, ceramics entrepreneurs, the president and senior officials of Foshan China Ceramics City Development Ltd. and domestic and international media outlets recently attended the grand opening ceremony of the China Ceramics Industry Headquarters (CCIH).

Attending opening ceremonies of the 12th China International Ceramic Fair are (from left): Thomas Wolf, president of Two Group, Mac International and Foya Fairs; TILE Magazine publisher Phil Johnson; former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield; and Paola Giacomini, director/editor for Tile Edizioni S.r.l., publishers of Tile Italia.

To ensure better operation and development of CCIH, a group of experts has been hired as honorary consultants. The group consists of 10 ceramic industry veterans including Ceramic Tile Distributor Association (CTDA) president Rob Henry, and TILE Magazine publisher Phil Johnson.

He Xinming, president of Foshan Ceramic City Development Ltd., expressed his hope that CCIH would attract more ceramic enterprises, professional designers and buyers to invest in Foshan, thus turning Foshan into a ceramic headquarters of the country.

Thomas Wolf presents former heavyweight champion boxer Evander Holyfield with a gift – a doll of 19th century martial arts master Huang Feihong.

CCIH representatives noted that opening ceremony attendees had one thing in common — that CCIH can play a leading role in developing the Foshan ceramic economy and a reliable platform for international trade can be built.

Following the opening ceremonies, distinguished guests lit a ceremonial torch — declaring CCIH officially open.