Shandong province in East China is regarded as an important cradle of Chinese civilization, having generated a diverse range of civilizations, including refined and sophisticated art and handicrafts.

In recent years, the province has made significant efforts to support the innovative development of rich traditional culture, which has aided not only in its preservation and transmission, but also in the revitalization of the province's rural areas.

Earlier this month, Shandong released an action plan for promoting high-quality development of the province's traditional handicrafts, which stressed that the development of handicrafts should ensure direct benefits to the people.

Shandong is rich in intangible cultural heritage items. According to official data, eight items have been added to the Representative List of Humanity's Intangible Cultural Heritage. The province is home to 186 and 1,073 intangible cultural heritage items on the national and provincial lists, respectively, making it one of the most popular in the country.

Shandong's efforts in historical preservation, inheritance, and innovation are exemplified by the ever-lasting fine culture that can be preserved.

A piece of Yantai paper-cutting work caught the audience's attention at this year's China Central Television (CCTV) Spring Festival Gala.

Kernel carving is a traditional micro-sculpture exclusively owned by China. Carved on the kernels of fruits or nuts, these handicrafts can be shaped into the figures of humans, animals, landscapes and pavilions. Folk artisan Wang Xude developed this art based on his predecessors' experiences, marking a new milestone in kernel carving.

Liang Qiaoyan, a Yantai paper-cutting art inheritor, displays her tiger-themed paper-cutting piece, which was selected for the CCTV Spring Festival Gala's culture performance honor. [Photo/Dazhong News]