Participants of the seminar on Nantong embroidery and needlework techniques pose for a group photo in Nantong. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

Experts from around China discussed the history and research achievements of Nantong embroidery and needlework techniques in Nantong, East China's Jiangsu province, on March 28.

The seminar is expected to inspire more systematic research into Nantong embroidery and offer solid theoretical support for the craft's preservation and development.

The seminar is a part of the exhibition on Nantong embroidery and needlework techniques, which was launched at the National Art Museum of China in November last year.

Over the past four months, the exhibition has been held in Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, and Yangzhou and concluded at the Nantong Art Museum.

Nantong embroidery is based on Suzhou embroidery and is mainly popular in Nantong, Suzhou, and Changzhou in East China's Jiangsu province.

Visitors admire Nantong embroidery works on display at the Nantong Art Museum. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

Nantong embroidery is known for its portraits, which feature vivid skin, various stitches, and a smooth surface.

The embroidery works President Obama's Family Portrait and Portrait of President Putin created by the Shen Shou Art Museum in Nantong were presented to Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin as national gifts.

In 2007, Nantong emulated embroidery was included in the first batch of Jiangsu's intangible cultural heritage items, and in 2008, it was recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage item.