With Merna: A journey into China's ancient inkstone art

In the heart of Jiyuan, a city in central China's Henan Province, lies the birthplace of the Pan Gu Inkstone – one of the Four Treasures of Study in traditional Chinese culture, alongside the brush, ink and paper. At the center of this living tradition is Master Zhang Shubi, a highly respected artist who has spent over 50 years perfecting the craft of inkstone carving. With works exhibited at the United Nations, his artistry bridges generations and cultures, preserving a centuries-old practice in a rapidly changing world. From selecting the right stone to shaping it by hand, CGTN's Merna Al Nasser takes you inside a story that reveals how this essential tool of Chinese calligraphy continues to inspire today.