Fuzhou,Fujian,China, China Central Television (CCTV) – For most Chinese, QR codes are symbol of modern technology achievement, but in the eye of a bamboo weaving master, it is just another item that can be made with bamboo strips.

In east China’s Fuzhou City, Fujian Province, 65-year-old bamboo weaving mater Xie Shiyang managed to blend the centuries-long traditional skill with modern technology. In his hands, a QR code is not generated by a software, but by his bamboo strips.

“Our county’s ancient village preservation and development office first brought up the idea of bamboo QR code. They wanted to develop creative cultural products with bamboos for a rural revitalization forum. They asked if we can make bamboo QR code. So we began to try in October 2018,” said Zhang Qingming, director of a local art craft factory.

The experiment was not smooth at first, though. QR codes usually have complicated patterns so it requires different sizes of bamboo strips to be weaved together to depict the lines, dots and cubes. After half a month’s effort, Xie made the first bamboo QR code.

Now Xie needs three hours on average to complete a bamboo QR code and had received orders from many companies.

“Although bamboo QR codes may not have high economic interests, it can let more people know about our traditional bamboo weaving skills and value our skills. Now many schools and kindergartens in our county have expressed their willingness to know more about bamboo weaving,” said Zhang.

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