CALGARY, Canada, May 7 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese Zisha cultural delegation is visiting Calgary to boost exchanges between China and Canada.

For the purpose of strengthening cultural exchanges between the two countries' ceramic art and supporting the 2018 Canada-China Year of Tourism, the delegation was organized by the Poly Culture North America, China Ceramics Industry Association, and Chinese National Academy of Arts Zisha Research Institute.

The delegation consists of more than 40 contemporary Zisha artisans, including five national-level Masters --Gu Shaopei, Bao Zhiqiang, Mao Guoqiang, Cao Yalin and Ji Yishun.

The delegation had visited Vancouver and Victoria before Calgary, and held six Zisha cultural activities starting May 2, sharing the unique charm of the traditional Chinese intangible heritage with Canadian Zisha enthusiasts.

"Looking back at history, the ancient silk road opened during the Western Han Dynasty has established an economic and trade corridor which connected the East and the West, introducing China's tea and ceramics to the world and opened a new window for culture and art exchanges, laying the foundation for Zisha art to reach out to the world," said Xu Jianrong, executive vice president of the Chinese National Academy of Arts Zisha Research Institute.

Shi Juntang, vice president of the China Ceramics Industry Association, said: "Being treasures of traditional Chinese culture, Yixing Zisha enjoys a long-standing prestigious reputation with its unique raw material and exceptional artisanship."