Ceramics on the march: China has an esteemed tradition of ceramics that dates back at least 11,000 years. Today, however, the ceramics industry, famed for producing “fine China,” has been causing environmental problems, resulting in the relocation of some factories. Here a ceramic army stands on guard at the 43rd general assembly of the International Academy of Ceramics in Xian, Shaanxi province, on Sept. 11.