Yang Guoqin showcases a range of creative cultural products featuring Huzhou writing brushes. [Photo/Tide News]

Yang Guoqin, a deputy to the Zhejiang Provincial People's Congress and Party chief of Guanyintang village in Shanlian town, Huzhou, Zhejiang province, is championing the role of youth in rural development.

During the fourth session of the 14th Zhejiang Provincial People's Congress, Yang showcased a range of creative cultural products featuring Huzhou writing brushes from Shanlian, highlighting the integration of tradition and innovation.

Shanlian is renowned as the birthplace of Huzhou writing brushes, a traditional craft dating back more than 2,000 years. Today, young entrepreneurs like Yao Yulin and Lyv Tao are revitalizing this industry, with Yao's "Huzhou Writing Brush Keychain" and e-commerce expansion bringing fresh appeal to this historic art form.

Last year, Shanlian town launched an initiative that offers visitors who purchase joint tickets to Nanxun ancient town a special "Fortune Huzhou Writing Brush", granting them free access to the Huzhou Writing Brush Town. This initiative integrates cultural products into the tourism network, fostering a sustainable industry ecosystem.

Yang has advocated greater youth engagement in rural areas, emphasizing the potential of traditional crafts in Guanyintang village such as Chinese knotting, and called for innovative approaches to develop cultural products to revitalize these crafts.

She has proposed effective incentives such as low-interest loans and vocational training to attract young talent to rural areas.