Shaanxi Hosts Expo, Women's Forum on Crafts Made Famous Along 'Silk Road'

Attendees pose for a group photo at the forum. [gswomen.org.cn]

The 23th China Agricultural High-Tech Exposition took place from November 5-9 in the city of Yangling, northwest China's Shaanxi Province.

The five-day event was themed on the nationally-promoted "Belt and Road Initiative", and displayed women's handicrafts from many countries, regions, and districts situated along the famous trade route that has historically linked Asia and Europe.

Meanwhile, Shaanxi Women's Federation also initiated a forum at the event to boost development in women's startups and encourage innovation.

Yao Yinliang, member of the standing committee of the Party committee and vice-governor of Shaanxi, attended the ceremony and awarded outstanding craft experts from across the province in a special competition.

"Women's handicrafts are the best legacy to mark the inheritance of cultures along the Silk Road," commented Yao.

"These products can be regarded as 'flourishes on fingers' rather than merely women's creative items," added the official.

Yao and other senior officials in Shaanxi shared their appreciation of a type of embroidery product unique to people from the Qiang ethnic minority.

Forum on Women's Handicrafts

"Talented women along the Silk Road have been attracted to the forum, showing their artistic skills through various means, for example, embroidery, paper-cutting, fabrics, knitting, jewelry and clay sculpture," said an organizer.

"Some are from adjacent regions, such as, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, northwest China's Gansu Province and Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. Others are from foreign countries such as Nepal and Sri Lanka," she added.

Initiatives of the Shaanxi Women's Federation

Based on extensive cultural resources in the province, local women's federations in Shaanxi in recent years have fueled the development of handicrafts through numerous activities focusing on women.

So far, around 300,000 women have been involved into over 700 handicrafts workshops across the province, thus forming nearly 2,000 brands with distinctive local regional characteristics.

Strong sales of such products have proved their popularity in both the domestic and international markets in over 20 countries worldwide, noted Gong Xiaoyan, president of Shaanxi Women's Federation.

"With 60 awarded 'masters' and 40 'cultural inheritors', the handicrafts industry in Shaanxi can certainly benefit even more women," commented Gong.

"Women's overall development can better come about from enhanced cultural communication and collaboration along the Silk Road route," suggested the official.

The official also commented that delegates from various Silk Road countries have signed a strategic contract at the event to boost women's handicrafts, startups, and innovative initiatives.

(Source: China Women's News/Translated and edited by Women of China)