The International Exchange and Promotion Event for Rural Craftsmanship, held as part of the 2026 Chinese Farmers’ Harvest Festival, kicked off in Beijing on September 28. Under the theme “Rural Craftsmanship, Blossoms along the Silk Road,” the event featured six themed workshops: Masterworks of Craftsmanship, Art in Miniature, Four Treasures of the Study, Handwoven Arts, Textile Arts, and Ceramics and Sculpture Arts. The event aims to promote international exchange and cooperation and support rural artisans in developing distinctive industries and accessing global markets. It also aims to help farmers, particularly those receiving assistance, to secure employment and achieve higher incomes. Maierdan Mugaiti, Member of the Party Leadership Group and Vice Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA), attended the event and delivered remarks. Carlos Aldeco, Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations in China, also addressed the event.  

MARA has earnestly implemented President Xi Jinping’s key instructions on advancing rural talent revitalization and followed the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council. It has continued to implement the Rural Artisan Cultivation Programme. In 2026, together with the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and the All-China Women’s Federation, MARA selected 10 outstanding rural artisans for national recognition and promotion and identified 100 rural artisans for further development as master artisans, helping local governments develop more than 10,000 rural artisans.  

More than 140 rural artisans participating in the event are outstanding representatives of China’s 130,000 rural artisans. Through their superb craftsmanship and exquisite handmade products, they have taken their work beyond rural communities and onto the global stage, attracting widespread attention and recognition from all walks of life and showcasing the charm of China’s traditional craftsmanship to the world.  

The event also called for greater efforts to preserve and pass on traditional handicrafts, and foster international exchange and mutual learning in traditional craftsmanship, so as to inject new vitality and momentum into global efforts in poverty reduction and rural development.  

Diplomatic envoys from 20 countries, officials from the FAO, the World Food Programme, and the World Bank offices in China, as well as international students from 12 countries, were invited to the event. Representatives from relevant government departments involved in the development of rural artisans also participated.