72 years of cutting Xinjiang stories into paper

"Paper-cutting has a unique charm for me," said Hao Xianyi, an 80-year-old paper-cut artist and inheritor of the intangible cultural heritage from Changji, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.

Hao began learning paper-cutting at 8 years of age with his grandmother, a famous master of the art, and he has now engaged in the craft for over 70 years.

Hao's works were posted everywhere in his studio, with paper-cuts revealing the space shuttle, subway, high-speed railway and local people, among other elements.

"They may only take a few days to cut, but they need several months to design and conceptualize," Hao said.

In 2013, Hao was named as an inheritor of this intangible cultural heritage of Changji Hui autonomous prefecture.

So far, Hao has created more than 10,000 works, and many of his paper-cuts have won prizes in paper-cutting competitions at home and abroad, with more than 50 award certificates.

Over the past 10 years, Hao has held free paper-cut training courses and taught paper-cut skills in communities, schools and nursing homes.

He has trained about 300 to 400 paper-cut enthusiasts, the youngest being 4 and the oldest in their 80s, with some students having studied with him for seven years.

"I will passionately teach the art of paper-cutting to those who love it and carry forward the art of paper-cutting," Hao said.

Yang Zekun contributed to this story.