Yu Yan: From 'bamboo girl' to 'bamboo queen'

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In some places, bamboo has been called “green gold” as it is renewable, can be used as a construction material and is a low-carbon alternative to plastic and timber. This versatile material is now “part of China’s environmental leadership bid”.

Yu Yan reading at her office. /CGTN Photo

Yu Yan was born in the small town of Yong’an in east China’s Fujian Province, where bamboo thrives..

She called herself a bamboo girl, due to her affection of this hardy plant.

She went to study in the UK for several years. And just as she was thinking of settling permanently into the colorful city life there, suddenly, she felt the need to return home.

CGTN's Hou Na talking with Yu Yan in her factory. /CGTN Photo

Yu Yan’s father runs a bamboo flooring company.

He needed someone with international vision to help him run the company.

CGTN's Hou Na talking with Yu Yan in her factory. /CGTN Photo

The hard work begins right after the bamboo is cut.

Though it thrives in steamy, rain-drenched areas, bamboo products require several processing steps to withstand sunshine and moisture, as it still contains sugar and water.

Bamboo material for making bamboo flooring. /CGTN Photo

Yu said "At the very beginning, nobody trusted me. Many customers have used wood for over twenty years…"

Workers at Yu Yan's factory. /CGTN Photo

But bamboo's prospects are improving.

One reason is environmental awareness.

A worker at Yu Yan's factory. /CGTN Photo

Chinese firms account for 90% of the international export market for laminated bamboo flooring. Its appeal has grown as Western consumers go green.

A worker at Yu Yan's factory. /CGTN Photo

Cai Qinghui, Vice Mayor of Yong'an said "Over the past decade, we have provided financial assistance of up to one hundred million US dollars to the bamboo industry. We help enterprises build bamboo research and trade platforms."

CGTN's Hou Na interviews Cai Qinghui. /CGTN Photo

Thanks to leading technologies and the government’s support, Yu Yan’s company now ranks in the top three within the industry.

Bamboo forest in Yong'an. /CGTN Photo

People call her "the bamboo queen" now, but she says her goal is to make the "green gold" shine all over the globe.

Bamboo flooring ready to be exported to international market. /CGTN Photo