Yu Xianglian, a renowned clay figurine craft inheritor, teaches foreign students how to make simple characters with clay. [Photo/IC]

A group of foreign students got some hands on experience with traditional Huishan clay figurines, one of Wuxi's most iconic local products, learning about their history and how to make them at the Wuxi Vocational Institute of Commerce on Nov 30.

Most of the foreign students were from Cambodia, Laos and other countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, and had a particular interest in traditional Chinese culture and crafts.

The Huishan clay figurine is a famous Chinese traditional folk art, which has a recorded history of 400 years and was listed as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2006.

With delicate designs, vivid appearances and bright colors, the clay figurines have gained great popularity among visitors to Wuxi.

A group of foreign students from countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative learn about traditional Chinese culture and crafts. [Photo/IC]

Yu Xianglian, a renowned master of Huishan clay figurines with a particular skill for creating figurines from traditional Chinese opera, provided help to the students and showed them around the Wuxi Vocational Institute of Commerce's art museum.

Yu demonstrated how to knead the black clay and create curves. Invited by Wuxi Vocational Institute of Commerce to build up a work station and teach the history and basic skills of Huishan clay figurines, she provides theoretical guidance on intangible cultural heritage and makes regular visits to campuses and colleges to enhance traditional culture.