Sitting in her office in central London surrounded by exquisite traditional Chinese dresses known as qipao, round fans and repurposed porcelain plates, Zhang Jie laments: "It's a bit regrettable that when people think of Chinese things, their first impression remains as cheap and low quality.

"They still think we Chinese people are not able to create things, while actually, we are far beyond that. We do create, and there are many highly skilled craftsmen in China who dedicate their entire lives to mastering a craft."

For six years, Zhang and her partner Xiao Yueqi have been facilitating the global expansion of Chinese artists as the co-founders of China Garden, a London-based commercial platform that introduces and sells the works of Chinese artisans in the United Kingdom.

While admitting the challenge of breaking the stereotypes surrounding "made-in-China" products, she has also observed an encouraging trend: a growing number of Chinese people are experiencing increased cultural confidence, and are committed to making their voices heard by promoting their culture globally.

And somehow, surprisingly, a significant portion of these unofficial cultural exchange ambassadors are young people, with many of them having spent time living or studying in the West, Zhang said.

"Stepping out often makes it easier for us to reflect on our cultural background and roots," she said.

At this year's London Craft Week, China Garden staged an exhibition showcasing the talents of eight esteemed makers and artists in ceramics, textiles and silverware, and was by no means the only Chinese contributor to the event.

The 10th edition of London Craft Week, held from May 13 to May 19, witnessed the largest-ever participation from Chinese artists, with a total of four organizations involved, supported by the Cultural Section of China's Embassy in the UK.

Plenty of surprises

Some 108 pieces, crafted by around 70 artisans and encompassing ceramics, lacquerware, stone carving, embroidery, and more were gathered together to offer people a glimpse of the latest developments and achievements in contemporary Chinese crafts.

"China always brings something surprising," said Guy Salter, chairman and founder of London Craft Week. "Part of the role of London Craft Week, from the beginning, has been to bring people together. So, I wanted to make sure that at the very first event, we had an exhibition from China, given its ancient and time-honored civilization."

As the increasingly large number of home-grown designers enter the field, Salter noted that the budding community is putting a singular spin on traditional craftsmanship by embracing contemporary aesthetics, blending Eastern and Western techniques, and adopting sustainable practices, all while referencing their traditions.

Victoria Broackes, director of the London Design Biennale, echoed Salter, saying: "I was struck by the blend of traditional craftsmanship with modern aesthetics, demonstrating skills honed over centuries but seeming totally modern."

For example, Yang Chunlin, a designer from the Miao ethnic group and the founder of the fashion brand Gu Axin, incorporates Miao embroidery into modern garments, keeping the intricate technique alive within today's fashion industry.

Additionally, at an exhibition organized by the Quanzhou Pavilion with a theme centered around stones, there was a dedicated area spotlighting how young Chinese artists from the port city in East China's Fujian province that is renowned for its stone sculpture, stone architecture, and stone exports, repurpose industrial stone waste into aesthetically pleasing furniture and home ornaments.

Innovations reintroduce centuries-old craftsmanship into modern daily lives, thereby providing economic support to the crafters.

As Yang's fashion brand gains significant attention on Chinese social media, boasting more than 5 million followers and maintaining a stable sales volume through e-commerce, the Miao designer can now bring his 60-year-old mother, Yang Shiying, an inheritor of Miao embroidery traditions, out of their small village in Southwest China's Guizhou province, to showcase the ethnic culture in cities including London, Paris, Milan and Budapest.

Meanwhile, the embroidery artisans in Yang's hometown can earn bigger incomes, thanks to increased sales, according to Yang Chunlin.

Diversity highlighted

Traditional handicrafts in China inject new energy into rural revitalization and poverty alleviation, said Minister of China's Embassy in the UK Zhao Fei.

More than 6,700 intangible cultural heritage workshops have been established across the country, with at least 2,100 located in impoverished areas, he said.

In addition to the modern interpretation of traditional crafts, Salter was also amazed by the emphasis placed by Chinese organizations on the diversity and multiplicity of Chinese culture.

"This time, I think, what is so special is to see the diversity," he said. "People from different parts of China who are raised in different traditions come together."

Lu Chuan, curator of the exhibition held at the Quanzhou Pavilion, pointed out that China cannot be perceived as a singular cultural entity because each region within its vast territory possesses unique characteristics.

This is why she said she hopes the world can pay attention to Quanzhou, and she believes that dialogues between cities connected by water and ports, such as Quanzhou and London, can build empathy among people.

"What matters to us in this exhibition is seeing the world from a local perspective and the local from a global perspective," she said.

Young artisans who took part share the idea that the world needs to have a correct understanding of China and its often-overlooked creativity and long-lasting craftsmanship.

"I feel compelled to speak up, not only for my country but ultimately for myself because I am Chinese," Zhang explained.

"So, when others admire China, I sense they are also admiring me. If they appreciate Chinese culture, I feel proud because of my heritage."

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