Carving the Past and Present · Crafting Dreams with Ingenuity — Quanzhou Hui'an Zhenhua Stone Carving Factory Recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage Productive Protection Demonstration Base

[Quanzhou Huian News] On March 18, 2025, upon recommendation by the Fujian Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism and strict evaluation by the National Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Quanzhou Huian Zhenhua Stone Carving Factory was officially awarded the title of "National Intangible Cultural Heritage Productive Protection Demonstration Base," becoming one of only three enterprises in Fujian Province to receive this honor. This recognition not only fully affirms Zhenhua Stone Carving Factory's decades-long dedication to preserving traditional craftsmanship and promoting innovative development but also vividly reflects the renewed vitality of Huian stone carving, a millennia-old craft, in the new era.

At 10 a.m., the awarding ceremony was held at the headquarters of Zhenhua Stone Carving Factory in Chongwu Town, Huian County. Leaders from the Intangible Cultural Heritage Department of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Fujian Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, Quanzhou Municipal Government, and Huian County Party Committee and Government attended the ceremony. Representatives from the Huian Stone Carving Industry Association, heads of various intangible cultural heritage inheritance bases within the province, and journalists from the media witnessed this important moment together. When the red honorary plaque was solemnly handed to Wang Zhenhua, the fourth-generation inheritor of Zhenhua Stone Carving Factory, prolonged applause erupted on site.

At the ceremony, Wang Zhenhua could hardly contain his excitement as he fondly recalled the development history of Zhenhua Stone Carving Factory since its establishment in 1982. "My father, the late Mr. Wang Fusheng, learned the craft from his grandfather when he was young, starting from the most basic stone chiseling and polishing, gradually becoming a representative inheritor of Huian stone carving skills," said Wang Zhenhua. "For more than forty years, we have adhered to the philosophy of 'upholding tradition while innovating,' aiming to faithfully inherit the traditional techniques left by our ancestors while creatively adapting them to modern aesthetics and market demands."

Huian stone carving has a long history and profound heritage, with techniques traceable back to the Tang Dynasty. It has been developed and refined through the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, forming distinctive characteristics of exquisite carving skills, dignified and grand shapes, and unique artistic styles. Huian stone carving uses high-quality materials such as granite and marble, employing various techniques including round carving, relief carving, line carving, and shadow carving to create a rich variety of artworks such as Buddha statues, Guanyin figures, lions, dragon pillars, stone screens, and headstones. Its products are exported to Southeast Asia and Chinese communities in Europe and America, enjoying a high reputation in the international market. In 2006, Huian stone carving techniques were included in the first batch of national intangible cultural heritage lists; in 2015, Huian was honored with the title "Capital of Chinese Stone Carving" by the China Arts and Crafts Association.

At Zhenhua Stone Carving Factory, covering an area of 15 acres, there are functional zones including a design and research center, fine carving workshop, master studio, stone carving museum, and e-commerce operation center. In the design and research center, young computer modelers use 3D scanning and CAD drawing technology for design drafts; in the fine carving workshop, intelligent carving machines work in coordination with experienced veteran craftsmen, transforming rough stones into exquisite artworks; meanwhile, the museum displays over a hundred stone carving masterpieces from the Republic of China period to the present, vividly showcasing the inheritance and evolution of Huian stone carving techniques over the past century.

"Many people worry that modern technology will replace traditional handicrafts, but in fact, technology is just a tool; the true soul lies in the craftsmanship and aesthetic sense of the artisans," said Wang Zhenhua, pointing to the busy carvers in the workshop. "For example, the eyebrows and eyes of this Guanyin statue can never be so expressive if made by machines. We use CNC equipment for rough processing and mass production of stone materials, but the key expression and fine polishing must be done manually. This not only improves efficiency and capacity but also fully preserves the essence of traditional craftsmanship."

In recent years, Zhenhua Stone Carving Factory has actively embraced digital transformation, vigorously expanding online sales channels while inheriting and protecting traditional techniques. In 2024, the company's e-commerce sales exceeded 28 million yuan, accounting for more than 40% of the total annual revenue. Its products sell well on major e-commerce platforms such as Taobao, JD.com, and Douyin, with repurchase rates and customer satisfaction ranking among the industry's best. At the same time, Zhenhua Stone Carving Factory has established industry-university-research cooperation with Quanzhou Academy of Arts and Crafts, Huaqiao University, and other institutions to jointly cultivate professionals in stone carving design and production, having accepted over 200 interns so far.

After the awarding ceremony, an art exhibition titled "Stone Voices from the Heart" opened simultaneously at the Zhenhua Stone Carving Museum. The exhibition gathered more than thirty original stone carving works by Wang Zhenhua, his father Wang Fusheng, and six other artisans from the factory, covering themes such as Buddhist statues, folk figures, garden landscapes, and modern art. Among them, the large-scale stone carving "Sail of the Maritime Silk Road," meticulously created by Wang Zhenhua over two years, is particularly eye-catching — this 3.2-meter-high and 2.8-meter-wide piece depicts the grand scene of Zheng He's voyages to the Western Seas, showing sailing ships breaking waves and figures bravely striving forward. It perfectly combines the exquisite techniques of traditional Huian stone carving with the expressive style of modern sculpture, earning high praise from visitors.

"I grew up in my father's stone carving workshop and have a special affection for stone," Wang Zhenhua said emotionally, standing before his work. "Stone does not speak, but it carries the memory of history and the genes of culture. Our mission as stone carving artisans is to convey this power that transcends time and space to more people through the hammer and chisel in our hands."

Chen Wencong, Secretary of the Huian County Party Committee, congratulated Zhenhua Stone Carving Factory on being recognized as a national demonstration base in his speech. He pointed out that Huian stone carving is a treasure of Minnan culture and a brilliant business card for Huian's external exchanges. The county party committee and government attach great importance to the development of the stone carving industry, having introduced a series of support policies, established a special fund for stone carving industry development, and supported stone carving enterprises in technological transformation, brand building, and talent cultivation. "We hope Zhenhua Stone Carving Factory will take this recognition as a new starting point, fully play its exemplary and leading role, and drive the entire county's stone carving industry to improve quality, efficiency, and achieve high-quality development," said Chen Wencong.

According to statistics, Huian County currently has more than 1,200 stone carving enterprises (workshops), nearly 100,000 employees, with an annual output value exceeding 15 billion yuan. Its products are exported to more than 50 countries and regions worldwide. The Huian stone carving industry has become one of the county's most distinctive pillar industries, making important contributions to local economic development and rural revitalization.

Regarding future development plans, Wang Zhenhua is full of confidence. He revealed that Zhenhua Stone Carving Factory plans to invest 50 million yuan to build a 30-acre "Huian Stone Carving Cultural and Creative Industrial Park," integrating stone carving creation, skill experience, intangible cultural heritage research and study, and cultural product sales to create a "one-stop" stone carving cultural tourism destination. "We also want to establish branches overseas to bring Huian stone carving to a broader international market," said Wang Zhenhua. "Letting more people around the world understand and appreciate this ancient Eastern art is a shared dream of mine and my father."