London Craft Week's China Pavilion opened on May 12 at Royal Mint Court in London, attracting people from the cultural, artistic, business, and design sectors of both China and the United Kingdom.
The pavilion, themed Those Who Make China Beautiful, focuses on female Chinese artisans and inheritors of intangible cultural heritage and presents a curated selection of works, including traditional Chinese wedding attire, auspicious patterns, textiles and embroidery from ethnic minorities, and contemporary craft innovations, blending centuries-old traditions with modern design.
Minister Zhao Fei, from the Chinese embassy in the UK, offered his congratulations on the opening of the pavilion and noted that it aims to highlight the beauty of China.
He emphasized that craftsmanship serves as a vital carrier of the country's cultural heritage in the new era and a vivid expression of that beauty. And he said the beauty of China is rooted in its rich historical and cultural legacy, shaped by contemporary development, grounded in the pursuit of a better life, and enriched through exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations.
Zhao also noted that China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) calls for strengthening of the protection and transmission of intangible cultural heritage, and creating new scenarios for heritage experiences. The measures are aimed at providing stronger institutional and industrial support for craftsmanship, creating new opportunities for global cooperation, and further promoting cultural exchange between China and the UK.
Li Hongfei, vice-president and deputy editor-in-chief of Art and Design Press, said the China Pavilion, uses the works of female artisans and designers to present the emotional depth, aesthetic values, and cultural aspirations of Chinese society. She added that the exhibition underscores the important role of Chinese women as guardians, inheritors, and innovators of the country's cultural heritage.
Guy Salter, founder and chair of London Craft Week, described Chinese craftsmanship and the China Pavilion as a key and representative component of the festival.
He highlighted the enduring vitality of Chinese craftsmanship, noting that its traditions continue to be reinterpreted in contemporary contexts. He also expressed hope that the platform would further promote cultural exchange between the UK and China and deepen international understanding of the cultural spirit behind Chinese craft.
Meanwhile, an exhibition titled Bride of the Mountains was running at the Fitzrovia Gallery in central London as part of the Chinese program during London Craft Week.
The exhibition showcases the family stories and cultural traditions of the Yi ethnic group in Southwest China.
Duan Yiran, co-organizer of the exhibition, said: "This exhibition brings together regional Yi wedding traditions to reveal the remarkable diversity of bridal dress across different landscapes, villages, and clans.
"From bold patterns and heavy silver adornments in Liangshan to the refined embroidery traditions of Yunnan, each style expresses a distinct local identity while sharing a common belief: that a bride's clothing carries moral strength, spiritual protection, and ancestral memory into her new life."
Jack Yu, a member of the Yi ethnic group who has lived in the UK for more than a decade, said he felt deeply proud to see his culture presented to an international audience.
"As a relatively small ethnic group in China, our culture is still not widely recognized outside the country," he said. "That's why I think it is so meaningful to share our stories with the wider world through London Craft Week.
"For me personally, seeing elements of my own culture and community represented here is deeply emotional. It makes me feel more connected to the world, and I'm very proud of that."
London Craft Week 2026, running from May 11 to 17, is a citywide celebration of British and international creativity, bringing together more than 750 established and emerging makers, designers, brands and galleries from around the world, with selections curated for substance rather than price or fame.
Zheng Wanyin and He Xiating contributed to the story.
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