Ningbo craft presented at UNESCO forum

A handcrafted mother-of-pearl inlaid artwork from Ningbo has been presented at a UNESCO forum in Paris, bringing a centuries-old Chinese intangible heritage craft onto an international stage through a moment of cultural exchange. 

At the UNESCO AI Education Forum, Li Tianchi, CEO of coding education company Codemao, gifted a "Phoenix and Peony" mother-of-pearl inlaid tray from Ningbo's Haishu district to international guests, including Mariya Gabriel, former deputy prime minister of Bulgaria, and Mariatou Kone, minister for national education and literacy of Cote d'Ivoire.

The gift was chosen based on a public suggestion rather than a formal selection process. Ahead of the forum, Li invited recommendations for culturally representative gifts, and one widely supported online comment proposed a mother-of-pearl inlay plate from Ningbo.

The piece is a traditional Chinese mother-of-pearl inlay craft, recognized as part of China's intangible cultural heritage. It is produced through a highly detailed process of cutting, polishing, and embedding shells such as abalone and mother-of-pearl into a redwood base, forming shimmering decorative patterns.

The tray was created by master artisan Cheng Xuesong and features the classic phoenix and peony motif, a traditional symbol in Chinese decorative arts representing prosperity, harmony, and renewal.

Speaking at the forum, Li said Ningbo, a pilot city for primary and secondary education innovation, is encouraging young people to stay connected to their cultural heritage while embracing creativity and problem-solving. He emphasized that innovation is most meaningful when it grows from cultural roots rather than replacing them.