East China woodblocking printing center in decline

Ma Li works with woodblock printing at a studio in Sibao town, Liancheng county, East China's Fujian province. Although in a remote mountainous region, Sibao was one of the country's four woodblock printing centers during the Qing Dynasty (1368-1644) and at its peak over 60 percent of local residents were engaged in printing. Classic works printed here were sold across the county as well as in Southeast Asia. Now a museum has been built to display the long history of the ancient craftwork that played an important role in the spread of human civilization. Ma Li started learning the art of carving woodcuts at the age of 16. [Photo/China News Service]