Products by Hai'an-based Huayi Group are showcased at the Jiangsu Pavilion during the sixth Yangtze River Delta International Cultural Industries Expo. [Photo/WeChat account: hafbwx]

The sixth Yangtze River Delta International Cultural Industries Expo opened on Nov 20, unveiling the latest achievements in regional cultural innovation.

At the opening ceremony, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, and Shanghai jointly released the third list of Yangtze River Delta Cultural Economy Model Cases, with two Hai'an-related projects selected. Writer Zhuo Muxian's well-known work Binjiang Police Affairs was also featured at the exhibition area of Yuewen Group in the Shanghai Pavilion.

At the booth of Huayi Group, indigo silk spreads like flowing water, with ink-wash patterns creating a poetic, elegant scene that captures the charm of water towns. Visitors stopped frequently to admire the works produced by China's first intelligent robot production line, demonstrating how technology is breathing new life into traditional craftsmanship.

"Since September 2024, we have adopted intelligent robots to assist in the dyeing process," said Ge Kunfeng, general manager of Huayi Group's corporate management center. "Robots now handle complex steps from dye mixing to fabric processing with millimeter-level precision. Production efficiency has increased sixfold, and the first-pass yield has improved by 25 percent, while master craftsmen continue to perform the key hand-tying steps."

The Ballet Lily is adapted from a short story set against the backdrop of the 1946 Suzhong Campaign in Hai'an. [Photo/WeChat account: hafbwx]

At the Shanghai Pavilion, the Shanghai Ballet showcased Lily, adapted from Ru Zhijuan's short story of the same name and set against the backdrop of the 1946 Suzhong Campaign — its story rooted in Hai'an.

Since its premiere at the Shanghai Grand Theatre in July 2025, the production has received wide acclaim. On stage, tie-dye set pieces, the Hai'an flower-drum tradition, and other local cultural elements are creatively reimagined through the vocabulary of Shanghai-style ballet, presenting an innovative fusion of intangible heritage and contemporary performance arts.