CIBJO urges Chinese industry to become a force in jewellery design

CIBJO President Gaetano Cavalieri has urged the leadership of the Chinese jewellery industry to assume a more prominent role in the market, by becoming a force in jewellery design, as well as being a major manufacturing centre and consumer market.

Dr. Cavalieri was speaking in Shenzhen on May 15, where he was a guest of honour at the inauguration of a new trade association, "China Jewellery Culture and Creation Industry." The ceremony for the establishment of the new body, which has gained wide support from industry trade associations in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, was also attended by Bai Licheng, vice chairman of the 11th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPCC), chief political advisory body of the People's Republic of China, and Long Yongtu, secretary-general of the Boao Forum for Asia, the prestigious forum for leaders in government, business and academia in Asia whose goal is to promote regional economic integration.

"China has firmly established itself as a major consumer market and manufacturing centre. It now is time is assert itself as a force in jewellery design, and put its stamp on the industry, much in the same way that my colleagues in Italy have done for so long. I am confident that the new association will play a role in the injection of Chinese design and artistic perception into the international jewellery arena," Dr. Cavalieri stated.

In recognising China's development in to a significant force in the jewellery industry, Dr. Cavalieri emphasised that China now has a responsibility to others in the global jewellery sector. "It is most important to remember that we are an international market, and that what happens here in China impacts throughout the global chain of distribution, just as what happens elsewhere will have an effect on the Chinese business," he said. "In our industry, it is extremely likely that any item of jewellery represents the combined efforts of literally thousands of people living in different of the world. Every single individual who was in some way responsible for the manufacture of an item of jewellery - from the miner to the refinery worker, to the diamond cutter and the jewellery designer, the manufacturer and the retailer - a plays a critical role in the process."

"Fine jewellery, in so many ways, is the perfect blend of art, culture and business," the CIBJO president continued. "It is an international language that is understood and appreciated by people regardless of their language and background. Furthermore, it is also a tool by which whole communities can create better and healthier lives for themselves. That is our mission, and so I trust it also is the mission of the Chinese jewellery industry. Today, here in Shenzhen, on this momentous occasion, I call on the Chinese jewellery community to take an active leadership role in our international industry."