Preserving Local Culture: Crossbow shooters and woodturners in China try to protect traditions

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Preserving the past, so it has a future. That's the goal of some local Chinese regions concerned that their native cultures may be in jeopardy. CGTN's Frances Kuo introduces us to two communities determined to hold onto their heritage.

In the cradle of these breathtaking mountains along the China-Myanmar border, this villager named Zhang is taking his best shot.

ZHANG VILLAGER "This belongs to us, the Lisu people. Sometimes we hunt birds with it."

In his grip is a crossbow - part of his ethnic Lisu culture dating back to 200 B.C. Hunting has been banned in this region for decades, but law enforcement is lax. So zhang and his friends still hunt birds and rodents for sport. But as young people move out of the area for work, the Lisu community worries the crossbow culture may die out.

CHA HAIRONG LIUKU TOWNSHIP CROSSBOW ASSOC. OF LUSHUI CITY "So we're making some crossbows, firstly, because we need to preserve and carry on our people's crossbow culture. The crossbow's components are all natural. Nature provides this weapon for us."

Not only a weapon but another kind of defence.

MO XIPA RETIREE "Shooting crossbow is a natural way to rid yourself of gastric disease. Also, both of my shoulder bones are in great shape. They don't ever hurt. I'm 60 years old and they don't hurt. My body is in great shape."

Preserving local culture is also the aim, hundreds of kilometres to the northeast -- in Hebei province. Cheng Jinqing lives in one of the birthplaces of this craft -- traditional Chinese woodturning dating back 300 years. Cheng uses a wood lathe with pedals to mold a symmetrical shape. Cheng learned the craft when he was 17. He's 88 now and one of the village's best woodturners.

CHENG JINQING WOODTURNER "As long as young people are willing to learn it, this craft can be passed down for several generations."

Cheng already has an apprentice to help ensure the art is not lost.

LI XUEMIN APPRENTICE "Through my own hands, I can turn this lifeless wood into something interesting, a basin or a bowl. This change is what interests me most."

Wood turning is on the protection list of intangible cultural heritage. Back where the Lisu community lives the local government also says it's "committed" to preserving the crossbow culture.

CHA HAIRONG LIUKU TOWNSHIP CROSSBOW ASSOC. OF LUSHUI CITY "Our people's crossbow culture must enter the National Games of China. It must enter the Asian Games. It must enter the Olympic Games! So that people all over the world can understand our people's culture. This is my biggest dream."

In hopes of molding a new generation to pass on their culture's rich traditions. Frances Kuo, CGTN.