RIZE, Türkiye, May 30 (Xinhua) -- The Turkish Black Sea city of Rize and China's renowned "porcelain capital" Jingdezhen came together on Friday to celebrate their shared cultural heritage, honoring centuries-old tea traditions as part of the two cities' Friendship Day.

The event brought together government officials and industry representatives from the tourism, arts, and culture sectors of both countries.

Hosted at Rize's historic tea bazaar, the gathering featured a variety of cultural performances, including traditional Chinese music, Rize folk dance, and Chinese porcelain painting demonstrations. The aim was to highlight the significance of tea in both cultures, promote cross-cultural tourism, and strengthen bilateral cooperation.

Addressing the event, Chinese Ambassador to Türkiye Jiang Xuebin said tea and porcelain are among the most sincere and powerful cultural symbols connecting China and Türkiye. "Today, these two have come together again in Rize. This is an important result of cultural communication between China and Türkiye," he said.

"We hope that we can further deepen and continue our friendship formed through tea and porcelain. We can further strengthen the bond between China and Türkiye and bring more benefits to the people of both countries," he added.

Governor of Rize Province Ihsan Selim Baydas said, "Tea is more than just a beverage -- it is a language of friendship. With this event, we are building a cultural bridge between Rize and Jingdezhen."

"In China, tea and porcelain are inseparable, and in Türkiye, so are tea and the tea glass. We aim to create a cultural and tourism-based bridge through these shared values," Baydas said.

Rize Mayor Rahmi Metin said the relationship between the two cities would yield future benefits in tourism and the economy.

"This event reflects the spirit of the ancient Silk Road in a modern form... Just as porcelain and tea have gone hand in hand in China, tea and the tea glass have long been intertwined in our culture," Metin said.

"We will now present Rize tea in porcelain, reflecting a new era of cultural unity. Bringing this together with China's traditions will lead to even more diverse and meaningful collaborations," he added.