BREAKING THE MOLD

Ancient 'porcelain capital' deploys latest tech to rediscover, preserve long-lost imperial relics. Zhao Ruinan and Li Xinlei report from Jingdezhen, Jiangxi.

Editor's Note: Using a blend of words and visuals, this series explores unique communities and reveals the heart of China through food, architecture, craftsmanship, landscapes and traditions.

In China's ancient "porcelain capital", a millennia-old handicraft tradition is undergoing a high-tech renaissance as cutting-edge artificial intelligence and 3D printing converge to preserve and restore fractured imperial relics.

Jingdezhen has been inextricably linked with ceramic production for more than 1,700 years. Its porcelain industry peaked as the primary supplier to the royal courts of the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties. For centuries, these ceramics traveled globally, shaping the world's understanding of Chinese design and artistry.