Under the background of combating the COVID-19, he also created vivid medical workers to show his respect. Tongzi clay whistles he makes have more vibrant colors and styles and are more solid. Yao has also developed a kind of clay whistle with multi-holes, which can produce more rhythm than those with just single hole, winning more fans.
In order to promote this intangible cultural heritage item, Yao always teaches the making process and shows the skill of blowing through live streaming. He also goes to several schools regularly in Tongzi county to instruct students in making clay whistle. Support from both the internet and local students encourage Yao to pass this technique on. Yao believes that letting more people know this heritage is the best way to inherit it.
