A craftswoman makes tiger-shaped shoes, which were listed as a municipal-level intangible cultural heritage item in 2022. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

Rugao, a county-level city in Nantong, East China's Jiangsu province, recently employed seven overseas Chinese people to promote local intangible cultural heritage items, local media reported on Feb 7.

These overseas Chinese people include leading forensic scientist Henry Chang-Yu Lee, chairman of the Jiangsu Economic and Cultural Association in Los Angeles, and chairman of the Benelux Jiangsu General Chamber of Commerce.

Mainly made from the yacca tree, the Rugao-style bonsai features short branches and closely woven leaf buds and is not easily misshapen. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

They are expected to introduce Rugao's culture to the world via livestreams, short videos, and virtual reality technology, according to Zhu Yingying, member of the standing committee of the Rugao Municipal Committee.

Lee, a native of Rugao, said that he was honored to serve as an ambassador to promote his hometown's intangible cultural heritage and will promote Rugao's culture wherever he can.

Rugao silk carpet weaving technique is listed as a national intangible cultural heritage item in 2021. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

He believes that intangible cultural heritage is the essence of Chinese civilization and also harbors the nostalgia of overseas Chinese people for their home country.

With a history of more than 1,600 years, Rugao boasts a profound and rich culture. Statistics show that the city is currently home to 69 intangible cultural heritage items, including two national ones – bonsai-making and silk carpet-weaving – and 40 bases for protecting local culture.