Xie makes exquisite handicrafts by weaving bamboo, such as a joss stick holder. [Photo provided to China Daily]

"It's difficult to work out how to make a perfect five-star flag. Like knitting a sweater, I used very thin bamboo strips of two colors, wove them together with a tool and stretched them tightly to make the pattern of the stars," says Xie, who finally finished the task at 4 am.

He gained about five kilograms in weight because he had to sit all day to work on the complicated handicraft, ranging from making drawings to formulating the overall weaving plan.

He also posted the bamboo weaving process on popular short video platform Douyin, where he has in excess of 27,000 followers. The topic drew several million views on micro-blogging platform Sina Weibo, and people online expressed their amazement at the exquisite workmanship. A local TV channel reported the news and commented that "it's a real inheritance and of great significance".

Since March, Xie's 22-year-old niece has helped him to make short videos to record him employing various weaving techniques in accordance with the characteristics of different bamboo types.

The short videos are set against the background of stunning rural scenery. He cuts a length of bamboo shaft, removes its green skin with a sharp knife, and carefully cuts some pliable thin strips of the same length and width. He processes the strips to make them durable, first by boiling them and then allowing them to dry in the shade.

He's quite a dab hand and is adept at turning "waste" into treasure. He also shared how to make a delicate tea tray in the shape of a boat from an old piece of bamboo, as well as how to repair a shabby desk in an artistic way.

"In the mobile internet era, everyone can have a leading role in short videos. People from all walks of life, including craftspeople, have the chance to showcase their talent. It's also a channel to meet those who share similar interests, as well as to cultivate potential customers," he says.

According to Xie, it's a good platform to promote such traditional craftsmanship among young people, the main consumers of short videos.

Xie believes it's important to lay a foundation by mastering the traditional bamboo weaving technique.

"The master may teach, but progress is up to the hard work of the individual. Bamboo weaving is like composing a piece of writing — you should meditate at first. The most difficult part is innovation, and you need imagination to achieve that," he says.