At the exhibition hall of Nantong Taofen Printing Co, located in Tongzhou district, Nantong, stands a striking wall commemorating Zou Taofen (1895-1944), renowned Chinese journalist and media entrepreneur, and consisting of characters using wooden movable-type printing, one of the world's oldest printing techniques.

A grand wall in tribute to Zou Taofen is on display at Nantong Taofen Printing Co. [Photo/WeChat account: wxtzfb]

Inside the hall, precious antique equipment such as semi-automatic hot-stamping machines, flat-bed platen presses, paper cutters, and horizontal cameras are on display, illuminating the century-long history of Nantong's printing craftsmanship.

In 1903, the famous Chinese entrepreneur and educator Zhang Jian (1853-1926) created the Hanmolin Publishing House in Nantong, marking the inception of Nantong's modern printing industry.

In October 1940, the New Fourth Army advanced eastward and set up a printing bureau in central Jiangsu. In 1942, Zou Taofen reached there, disseminating patriotic ideas in Nantong.

In honor of this legendary figure, the bureau was renamed Taofen Printing Factory in 1945, becoming one of the first printing factories to emerge after the founding of the Communist Party of China.

Later, the factory merged with the Hanmolin Publishing House. The resulting combined entity, which is now known as Nantong Taofen Printing Co, embarked on a new chapter in history.

In an effort to carry forward the revolutionary legacy and entrepreneurial and innovative spirit, Nantong Taofen Printing Co plans to introduce study-tour projects such as movable-type printing experiences for primary and secondary school students. Additionally, the company intends to establish the Nantong Printing Museum at the original site of the Hanmolin Publishing House.