Traditional embroidery draws cross-Strait ties closer

Born in 1987, Wu is the head of the Xiabu Embroidery Art Institute in Xinyu city, Jiangxi province, and a city-level representative inheritor of the national intangible cultural heritage project of Xiabu embroidery.

The fabric, made from ramie fibers, is hand-woven through multiple processes. Its unique, cool, and breathable features make it a popular material for summer clothing, hence the name Xiabu. Xinyu is one of its origins.

For Wu, Xiabu embroidery is a unique craft. In her eyes, the embroidered works have ancient, elegant colors and a deep, timeless quality.

"In the embroidery process, the intersecting lines create a sense of depth and dimensionality, making the image appear both real and unreal, with variations in light and shade. This creates a harmonious unity between the texture of the material and the spatial feel of the objects," she said.

In recent years, Wu and her mother-in-law, Zhang Xiaohong, a national-level inheritor of Xiabu embroidery, have focused on nurturing young talent.

They have collaborated with women's federations and disability associations at all levels to establish training centers for entrepreneurship and employment.

"We offer skills training and job support, creating new opportunities for unemployed women and people with disabilities to generate income. Over the years, we have provided free training to more than 30,000 people, creating more than 2,000 jobs," Wu said.