Two world-famous ceramic cities have signed an historic agreement to work in partnership for the future. Stoke-on-Trent - the birthplace of Wedgwood, Spode, and a whole host of other celebrated potteries - have forged an alliance with the Chinese city of Jingdezhen - known for a ceramics heritage that stretches back 1,700 years, and is thought to be responsible for the coining of the phrase "China" to describe fine porcelain ware.

Jingdezhen Deputy Mayor, Li Zhenfa, and Stoke-on-Trent Lord Mayor, Anthony Munday, signed the partnership during a ceremony at the newly created Spode Museum Trust Visitor Centre, in front of a range of rare English blue bone china that will go on formal display at the former Spode factory site (in Stoke-on-Trent) from next month.

The economic partnership agreement, which recognises strong historical and cultural ties, commits the cities to:

  • Develop exchange opportunities for students and entrepreneurs
  • Encourage joint projects between universities and institutes of learning, including Staffordshire University and the Jingdezhen Ceramic Institute a a university-level organisation
  • Encourage investors to support economic growth in both cities
  • Identify opportunities to establish joint ventures between companies based in both cities.

The agreement comes at a time when Stoke-on-Trent is bidding to be the UK's City of Culture for 2021, and is a fast growing European centre of advanced materials, technology and manufacturing.

Councillor Munday said:

"This agreement is an historic moment; it builds on strong ties and exchange visits developed by the two cities over a number of years which was previously led by my predecessor as Lord Mayor, councillor Jean Bowers."

"There is already a natural alliance between the two cities a we share a common focus on the incredible value of culture and heritage. We share a common bond of friendship and interest, with cultural and civic links between our two centres of learning and enterprise."

China's State Council named Jingdezhen as one of its first 24 historical and cultural cities. It is known as China's porcelain capital, with a thriving industrial economy. In ancient times, Jingdezhen was known as Changnan, and provided the name aChinaa for the ceramic production technique which helped to put Stoke-on-Trent in the seat of the industrial revolution and the Western world's engine house of international ceramics production since the 18th century.

Mr Li Zhenfa said:

"Both of our cities are ceramic centres and our economies have both experienced growth. Our relationship with Stoke-on-Trent has really grown since 2004 and visits between the two cities have become frequent."

"Personally I see the benefit of this agreement as threefold: it helps to promote exchanges between businesses and people; it is a win-win for co-operation and relationship building; and Chinese enterprises are seeking opportunities to expand their scale. We encourage Chinese enterprises to invest in Stoke-on-Trent, and have set up a joint enterprise exchange which will have benefits in expanding new markets."

"Jingdezhen is a centre for research, trade and the production of ceramics. Maybe we can help to expand the market for bone china which is famous in Stoke-on-Trent."

"We have a bounty of resources in our two cities, for example co-operation between our educational institutions. Students promote co-operation for the future, and we want to offer the support for talent exchanges in the future."

"There are more ways of co-operating, such as inward investment and tourism promotion. Jingdezhen is famous for its tourism industry and there is the chance to combine opportunities for Stoke-on-Trent to expand tourism with cultural elements."

Councillor Janine Bridges, cabinet member for education and economy, said: aThis partnership reinforces friendship based on mutual respect, through the development of ever deeper bonds of trade and enterprise.

"It uses both of our citiesa positions as two of the worldas pre-eminent ceramic centres to drive a future of common trade and enterprise.

"It is a wonderful opportunity for local businesses and it will help them to reach new markets, particularly the affluent Chinese middle classes.

"Discussions are already taking place with regards to showcasing our city's pottery at Tao Xi Chuan - a major urban, mixed use regeneration project in Jingdezhen. Chinese ceramic companies are interested in joint ventures with counterparts here in the city, and they are also keen to further trade missions between the two cities."

"As well as investment opportunities, the agreement paves the way for further university-level co-operation and the potential for exchange visits for students, entrepreneurs and other groups."