Seventy-two-year-old Huang Jiabin makes a rabbit-shaped lantern with bamboo strips. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

Reeds used to be the most common plant in Qidong, Nantong and were usually weaved into various articles of daily use.

Seventy-two-year-old Huang Jiabin, an inheritor of Qidong reed weaving techniques, a Nantong intangible cultural heritage item, started learning to weave articles from reeds and bamboo strips when he was 16 years old.

Huang Jiabin holds a rabbit-shaped lantern. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

When Huang was young, the reed or bamboo-made articles, including brooms, dustpans, and baskets, were popular among locals. But as people's lives have improved, these handmade products have been gradually replaced by plastic products, leading to fewer reed weavers.

Huang still insists on making and using these articles. "Although it requires much more time to make a reed weaving product than a plastic one, the handmade products are more eco-friendly and can be used for decoration," said the craftsman.

Baskets weaved out of reeds. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

Huang noted that fewer people today are willing to learn the craft. He also said that he feels delighted to be invited by local schools to teach students how to make articles with reeds and bamboo strips and he believes that the weaving techniques will continue to be passed down.