Letter from China: How China's New Fourth Army rescued Xuan paper for posterity

by Xinhua Writer Jiang Tingting

BEIJING, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- As a lifelong devotee of traditional Chinese culture, I had long dreamed of visiting Jingxian County in east China's Anhui Province, the birthplace of Xuan paper. With its silky texture and remarkable durability, this kind of paper has captivated calligraphers and painters for centuries.

Last month, that dream finally came true, and with it surfaced an untold story: during the war of resistance against Japanese aggression, this ancient craft might have vanished forever had it not been for the actions of the New Fourth Army.

RESCUE IN THE FLAMES

In August 1938, the headquarters of the New Fourth Army relocated to Yunling Town in Jingxian County. This pivotal move coincided with the near-collapse of Xuan paper production, the region's once-dominant industry.

Ravaged by the Japanese invasion, crippled supply lines, and grinding logistical chaos, virtually all papermaking vats fell silent. Master artisans scattered in exile, and the ancient craft itself teetered on the brink of extinction.

Determined to protect China's precious cultural heritage while meeting urgent wartime publicity needs, New Fourth Army Commander Ye Ting and his comrades took decisive action: establishing Xuan paper production cooperatives.

Funded by the Army headquarters, these cooperatives procured raw materials, acquired essential equipment and recruited skilled papermakers.

This coordinated revival effort not only rebounded Xuan paper production to 40 tonnes in 1940 but also secured a stable paper supply for Kangdi Bao (the Anti-Enemy Journal).

With this critical support, the publication swiftly grew into a powerful publicity engine, circulating widely among troops and resonating across anti-Japanese base areas in eastern China, ultimately becoming a vital voice that fortified resistance throughout the war-torn hinterland.

"Amidst the flames of war, the New Fourth Army played a pivotal role in protecting the Xuan paper industry, while infusing its centuries-old craftsmanship with renewed vitality," said Huang Feisong, head of the Xuan paper research institute affiliated with the China Xuan Paper Co., Ltd.

It was this vital wartime intervention that ensured the survival of Xuan paper craftsmanship through its darkest hour, allowing knowledge and techniques to be passed down uninterrupted.

HERITAGE REBORN

The craft of making Xuan paper was listed as one of the national-level intangible cultural heritages in 2006 and a world intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO in 2009.

Transcending the traditional "make-and-sell" model, Jingxian County has revitalized its Xuan paper heritage by integrating it with cultural tourism and the creative industries. A landmark initiative in this transformation was the 2023 launch of a Xuan paper-themed cultural tourism town -- a space where tradition meets innovation.

Here, visitors not only observe but also actively engage in the papermaking process -- scooping pulp, sun-drying sheets, and creating unique imprints. Meanwhile, artists and designers reinterpret Xuan paper into contemporary cultural keepsakes, producing everything from stationery to art installations.

"Today's travelers crave more than scenic views," Liu Shuang, the town's manager, explained. "They want to engage with living traditions -- to touch, make, and connect with the soul of our cultural heritage."

"This town has become China's key platform for sharing Xuan paper's legacy with the world," Liu added. The numbers speak for themselves: In 2024 alone, it welcomed 410,000 visitors -- a remarkable 64 percent surge from the previous year.

This revival has not only attracted tourists but also reinvigorated the local economy, creating jobs for 850 residents within a flourishing cultural tourism ecosystem. From traditional papermaking and artisan workshops to innovative design studios, hospitality services, and hands-on heritage experiences, the ripple effects of Xuan paper's renaissance are tangible.

PASSING THE TORCH

As Xuan paper finds renewed vitality in contemporary society, a new generation of cultural custodians is rising to safeguard its legacy. Thirty-year-old Cao Ping, a docent at the Xuan paper-themed cultural tourism town, personifies this renaissance.

Her family's three-generation commitment to the craft -- from her grandfather's skilled hands to her own interpretive work -- mirrors the evolution of intangible heritage preservation.

"I've taken up the generational baton," she reflects while guiding visitors through immersive exhibitions.

"My ancestors mastered the technical artistry of papermaking, while my calling is to make its stories and cultural essence resonate with new audiences. Only through such connection can this ancient heritage maintain its enduring relevance," Cao said. ■