A decorated career

Zhong Weiling has learned the technique from Huang for nearly two decades. "Her attitude of always striving for better is impressive," says Zhong.

Huang highlights the combination of traditional craft with modern fashionable elements, to make tea sets, wine vessels, cups and saucers and even furniture that young people prefer.

"I believe mastering the craft means as long as one lives, one needs to make innovation on the basis of inherited traditions, and try one's best to explore possibilities," says Huang.

The porcelain industry in Liling has also developed in modern times. The three major types of ceramics, for daily, industrial and artistic use respectively, including more than 4,000 varieties, have been sold to more than 150 countries and regions.

Artistic ceramics, which Huang makes, are often handmade, and other types can be produced in factories. "With the construction and operation of 70 automatic production lines, Liling porcelain is upgrading in a smarter direction," she says.

Huang was selected to be a deputy of the 13th National People's Congress, and has brought her work to the two sessions in 2019, the annual meetings of the National People's Congress and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference in Beijing.