Master craftsman weaves his way to better future

Willow weaving master and inheritor Yue Maoliang – in Feixian county in Linyi city in East China's Shandong province – has transformed the dying art into a thriving business, making the small village a center of a booming industry.

Inheriting the intangible cultural heritage of willow weaving from his father, Yue has been involved in the craft for over four decades.

As plastic and metal products have gradually replaced traditional willow items, he adapted to the changing times while preserving the ancient art form.

By integrating history, artistry and craftsmanship, Yue turned the handmade willow weaving products into beautiful works of art.

Eight examples of Yue Maoliang's work. [Photo by Yue Maoliang for chinadaily.com.cn]

He also took pains to learn from other willow weaving artists through exhibitions, adopted their manufacturing and sales techniques and created a successful business model based on a "family farm + farmers" system.
In 2012, he established the Feixian Quanying Family Farm, attracting over 100 farmers. Today, his willow products are highly sought after and exported to countries like Britain, Russia, Belgium and the United States – generating annual foreign exchange income of $400,000.

His success has inspired 215 households in Quchi village to engage in willow hand processing, turning it into a hub for the revitalization of rural industry. (Edited by Jin Yongxue)