During this year's Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations, Asian artists gathered to showcase traditional handicrafts from different parts of the region. At the China venue, artisans from the southern city of Suzhou displayed an ancient weaving technique, kesi. This technique was named a UNESCO World Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2009. It was traditionally used in making Chinese fans. In this episode of the Anchor's Journal, my colleagues Li Dongning and Liu Chen take you to a fan workshop in Suzhou.

Famous fashion magazine Harper's Bazaar stunned the world in 2015 with a set of cover photos starring Chinese supermodel Liu Wen. Themed Lost Beauty Refound, the photos featured different backdrop, but ONE PROP appears throughout, Chinese court fans, chosen by the photographers to add an oriental flair. What you may NOT know, is that these exquisite, delicate and somewhat feminine art pieces, were HANDMADE by a young MAN in China's garden city, Suzhou.

Here, in this inconspicuous ally at the heart of the city, is where the artisan worked his magic.

Li Jing entered the business in 2013. He started as an apprentice under some of Suzhou's best craftsmen.

The Chinese people have a long history of using fans. From the earliest records of using feather fans to the paper folding fans, which are also widely used in Japan and Korea to the all-time favourite of royals---court fans, or palace fans. Today, this type of painted circular fan is highly regarded for its artistic value. 

Li's fans are popular -- not only for their detail, but also because they manage to reenact one of the world's oldest spinning methods-kesi.

In our next episode, we will tell you more about how this ancient weaving tradition has found new life, here in Suzhou.