Chinese embroidery goes to the world

Embroidery is an essential part of Chinese culture. So in Central China's Hunan province, where the finest embroidery is done, an international training class has opened. The program is sponsored by the Chinese government. It is offered to learners from developing countries, free of charge.

Fifty foreign students are enrolled in the embroidery training. They come from twenty-five developing countries including the DPRK, the Philippines, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Palestine and Uruguay. All of the learners are in China for the first time and they are excited.

During three months these new friends will be under the tutelage of embroidery artists recognized as "national folk art master" or "national embroidery master". The pupils will master the main techniques of Hunan embroidery. When they are finished they will go home to teach Chinese embroidery to others. Some expressed the hope of opening factories in their home countries to produce Chinese embroidery. It would provide an important boost to the local economy.