The 2018 International Academic Seminar of Jade Culture of Han Dynasty held in Xuzhou, China

On the morning of October 30, the Opening Ceremony of 2018 International Academic Seminar of Jade Culture of Han Dynasty, hosted by Xuzhou New Bureau of Culture, Radio, Film and Television and Xuzhou Museum and under the guidance of the Jade Committee of China Cultural Relics Academy and Jiangsu Museum Academy, was held in Xuzhou. Speech was delivered by Li Yan, deputy mayor of the People's Government of Xuzhou. Lu Zhaoyin, a researcher of the Institute of Archaeology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Gong Liang, deputy director of the Jiangsu Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, president of the Nanjing Museum,and director of the Jiangsu Museum Academy, Feng Naien, vice president of the Palace Museum, vice chairman and secretary-general of the Jade Committee of the Chinese Cultural Relics Academy, delivered speeches respectively.

Xuzhou, an important vassal kingdom of the Han Dynasty, unearthed a large number of jade articles with rich varieties and exquisite craftsmanship, which represented the highest level of jade industry at that time. Among them, the jade suit, jade coffins, and S-shaped jade dragons pendant unearthed from the tomb of King of Chu of Western Han Dynasty in Shizishan have become Xuzhou Han culture's unique symbols. They have visited Austria, Britain, the United States, Germany and other countries on behalf of Xuzhou, which has enhanced the international fame and influence of Xuzhou Han culture. As the main collection institution of the Han Dynasty jade articles, Xuzhou Museum hosted this international academic seminar with the strong support of Xuzhou New Bureau of Culture, Radio, Film and Television. The conference will carry out discussions and exchanges on topics such as the evolution of Han jade types, craftsmanship, sources of jade materials, cultural connotations and social thoughts, promoting the study of Chinese Han jade culture from a multiple perspective.
Overseas jade research experts from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong and other places will come to Xuzhou. Over 30 cultural relics and archaeological institutions in Beijing, Tianjin, Shanxi, Liaoning, Shanghai, Fujian, Shandong, Anhui, Hunan, Sichuan, Shaanxi, Zhejiang, Shaanxi, Jiangsu and other places will participate. Nearly 100 experts and scholars from more than 10 universities will also participate in the discussion and exchange, including Peking University, Fudan University, Sichuan University, Xiamen University, and Sun Yat-sen University. The seminar will be end ob the 1st of November.
This conference will achieve a number of high-quality and high-level academic results, which further promotes the research in this field, and makes an important contribution to enhancing Xuzhou's cultural status as the core city of the Huaihai Economic Zone.