President Xi Jinping has always emphasized the importance of protecting and promoting intangible cultural heritage. Following in his footsteps, let's explore the outstanding Chinese intangible cultural heritage.

On Feb 1, 2024, just before Spring Festival that year, Xi visited Tianjin's Ancient Culture Street, which is lined with shops featuring many time-honored brands.

He visited several specialty shops such as Guifaxiang 18th Street Mahua, Nut Products Zhang, Clay Figure Zhang and Yangliuqing New Year Paintings.

After learning in detail about the clay figurine-making process at the shop of Clay Figure Zhang, whose craftsmanship has a history of about 200 years, Xi noted that the spirit of craftsmanship, passed down through generations, ensures the continuation of China's cultural heritage.

The tradition of Yangliuqing woodblock New Year paintings dates back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). At its shop, Xi said that the "Abundance Year After Year" painting carries people's yearning for a better life.

At a food store selling the crisp and aromatic Guifaxiang 18th Street Mahua (fried dough twists), Xi bought several boxes of mahua and other pastries and gifted two of them to a young boy standing beside him, wishing him a happy Chinese New Year.

Xi emphasized that Chinese modernization cannot be separated from the inheritance and promotion of the nation's outstanding traditional culture.

Calling Tianjin a city with great characteristics and charm, he urged efforts to protect and make good use of its historic and cultural zones to make them shine in the development of a modern metropolis.