Yang Changqin: Increase income through intangible cultural heritage

Yang introduces new types of creative bamboo weaving products. [Photo/ddcpc website]

Yang Changqin, a practitioner of Chishui bamboo weaving from Zunyi in Southwest China's Guizhou province, has been selected as a deputy to the National People's Congress (NPC) six times.

In 2022, Chishui Qianshou Bamboo Art Development Co, founded by Yang, achieved an output value of more than 20 million yuan ($2.89 million) and helped 570 people in Chishui's Minzu village increase their incomes.

Yang is devoted to the construction of a production, education and research base for intangible cultural heritage which will train more people who have escaped poverty and help them increase their incomes.

"Chishui bamboo weaving is both an industry and a part of the culture. We should transform it from a cultural resource into a cultural asset, integrate the cultural value and economic value of Chishui bamboo weaving, and boost rural industry while enhancing cultural confidence," said Yang.

To develop the intangible cultural heritage, Yang has studied at art academies in Shanghai and other cities, and used new technology to launch creative bamboo weaving products such as chinaware, ornaments, and incense burners.

Yang has also cooperated with famous companies such as Kweichow Moutai Group and Beijing Benz Automotive Co to improve the brand awareness of Chishui bamboo weaving and sell the products to more countries. Chishui Qianshou Bamboo Art Development Co's bamboo weaving products have been sold to North America and Europe.

Last year, Yang and her team launched more private customized and high-end bamboo weaving products and participated in the drafting of provincial standards for bamboo weaving.

As an NPC deputy, Yang is concerned about issues related to the preservation of traditional culture and the development of rural industries. In the future, she aims to help locals improve their lives and expand the scale of Chishui bamboo weaving industry.