A paper whale in her studio. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Huang and her teammates have made more effort to spread Chinese culture through their aesthetic work.

Among their representative pieces, a paper artwork that integrates local culture, history, modern development and key landmarks in Qingdao was selected by the local authorities as a gift to be presented to foreign guests who participated in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Qingdao summit in 2018.

"The best way to introduce a country or a city is to tell stories of its local culture," says Huang.

"Paper by paper, story by story, the culture of paper art can enhance cross-Straits ties and unite Chinese people together, even with friends from all over the world."

Huang's team champions the spirit of the moso bamboo, a temperate species of giant timber bamboo that is native to South China. "The root of this plant grows deeply into the soil in its early years to lay a good foundation for future growth," says Huang.

"Once our team settled here, we devoted ourselves to our mission－to spread the passion for paper art among more people."

Artist Huang Li-hsiang in her Paper Art Design Studio in Qingdao, Shandong province. [Photo provided to China Daily]