"Talent cultivation is the very foundation of traditional crafts' survival," he says.
Thanks to his efforts, about 1,600 local households have seen their annual income rise by an average of 15,000 yuan, according to local authorities.
A strong validation of Chen Lingkai's digital savvy came in 2019 when a Spanish luxury house ordered 10,000 palm fans as gifts for its VIP guests.
Overnight, humble woven chairs and fans became coveted international fashion accessories, proving traditional craftsmanship could not only survive but also thrive in the global marketplace.
To date, products from the Chen family have reached major Chinese cities and over a dozen countries across Europe, the Americas and Southeast Asia.
Many young people have joined the ranks of reviving rattan weaving and contributed to the rising social and economic benefits from the craft in Hanzhong, which was included in the UNESCO intangible cultural heritage good safeguarding practice in 2024.
