The file photo shows that members of the Fuling Caixiang Knotting Workshop are learning and discussing knotting techniques. (Photo/Chongqing Daily)

Chongqing - The art of knotting has a long history in China, carrying with cultural heritage, showcasing folk wisdom, and symbolizing auspicious meanings. It has now also brought income to local women in Fuling District, Chongqing.

These skilled hands craft knotting works, such as the commemorative knots for the the CCTV Spring Festival Gala and exquisite travel souvenirs.

Zhang Chenjing, an inheritor of the Fuzhou knotting handicraft, established the Fuling Caixiang Knotting Workshop. The workshop has trained over 10,000 people in the local area. More than 3,000 individuals now independently take on orders, earning average of 1,000-3,000 yuan ($137.98-$413.93) per month.

In 2016, the Women's Federation in Fuling District conducted a survey on industries that could drive women's employment. Zhang proposed the idea of helping women earn income through knotting, which received support from the district's Women's Federation.

Zhang then began looking for a venue, securing investments, and setting up Fuling's first knotting workshop.

"At the beginning, the hardest part wasn't finding a venue or funding, but encouraging women and groups like the disabled to take the first step towards employment and entrepreneurship," Zhang admitted.

Initially, when staff approached disabled individuals and some women, many hesitated due to family pressures and financial constraints, Zhang noted.

Upon learning of this, the Fuling District Women's Federation and Zhang visited over twentys the district to find suitable candidates for the first batch of knotting workshop trainees. They delivered raw materials to the women, allowing theallowed the craft and agreein, and agreed the products they made.

For disabled individuals who couldn't travel far or needed specialized care, Zhang and the Women's Federation brought the materials and training directly to their homes, arranging for teachers to provide lessons on-site.

Gradually, the workshop gained recognition among locals in various towns, and many villagers who had previously been hesitant began inquiring about how to join the workshop's training.

Li Xuemin, whose walk capability had been affected by a sudden illness years ago and who relied on crutches, joined Zhang's workshop in 2017. As Li was skilled in knotting, she became a trainer at the workshop. Over the years, her exceptional performance has earned her several honors.

Thanks to Li's influence, more women and disabled individuals joined the knotting workshop.

Long Jing, a stay-at-home mom and former laid-off worker, faced the challenge of caring for her young child at home and could not work outside. "After joining the knotting workshop, not only did I increase my income, but I also became a good role model for my child," Long said.

She also expanded her knotting group into a team of over a hundred, leading women from surrounding communities to earn more.

"One by one, families are improving, and that makes the effort worthwhile for me and my team," Zhang said.

To provide employment opportunities for more women and disabled individuals, she and her team developed a "barrier-free" training model open to all, regardless of age, education, or location. This model requires no investment, no cost, and carries zero risk. It offers free skills training, an employment platform, and raw materials.

In recent years, the knotting workshop has received numerous honors. And the workshop's products are not only popular in major tourist attractions across Chongqing but have also expanded nationwide.

Zhang stated that the workshop aims to continue building its prestigious brand and advancing its creations in the future.

(Liu Chong, a reporter from Chongqing Daily, contributed the Chinese version of this report.)