Women in NE China's Jilin find flexible employment through handicrafts

Photo shows exquisite handicrafts on display at the ongoing 24th China Changchun International Agriculture and Food Expo (Trade) in Changchun, northeast China's Jilin Province. (People's Daily Online/Li Yang)

The ongoing 24th China Changchun International Agriculture and Food Expo (Trade) runs through Aug. 24 in Changchun, northeast China's Jilin Province. It features a special exhibition area dedicated to women's craftsmanship, showcasing a wide range of exquisite handmade works.

The exhibition area is made up of artisans from a handicraft project launched in 2012 with the purpose of providing an option for women seeking flexible, home-based employment and entrepreneurship. The project combines traditional handicrafts with local characteristics and folk cultural arts, creating a "wall-free factory" that supports women's employment. To date, the project has enabled more than 80,000 women to achieve flexible home-based work. Thanks to their exquisite craftsmanship and unique appeal, their products have become a cultural and economic calling card for Jilin Province.

A woman shows exquisite handicrafts at the ongoing 24th China Changchun International Agriculture and Food Expo (Trade) in Changchun, northeast China's Jilin Province. (People's Daily Online/Li Yang)

Photo shows exquisite handicrafts on display at the ongoing 24th China Changchun International Agriculture and Food Expo (Trade) in Changchun, northeast China's Jilin Province. (People's Daily Online/Li Yang)

Photo shows exquisite handicrafts on display at the ongoing 24th China Changchun International Agriculture and Food Expo (Trade) in Changchun, northeast China's Jilin Province. (People's Daily Online/Li Yang)

Photo shows exquisite handicrafts at the ongoing 24th China Changchun International Agriculture and Food Expo (Trade) in Changchun, northeast China's Jilin Province. (People's Daily Online/Li Yang)

Photo shows exquisite handicrafts inspired by ginseng at the ongoing 24th China Changchun International Agriculture and Food Expo (Trade) in Changchun, northeast China's Jilin Province. (People's Daily Online/Li Yang)

A woman draws on a fan at the ongoing 24th China Changchun International Agriculture and Food Expo (Trade) in Changchun, northeast China's Jilin Province. (People's Daily Online/Li Yang)

Tourists learn to make handicrafts under the guidance of a woman at the ongoing 24th China Changchun International Agriculture and Food Expo (Trade) in Changchun, northeast China's Jilin Province. (People's Daily Online/Li Yang)

A woman arranges handicrafts at the ongoing 24th China Changchun International Agriculture and Food Expo (Trade) in Changchun, northeast China's Jilin Province. (People's Daily Online/Li Yang)

A woman showcases handicrafts she made at the ongoing 24th China Changchun International Agriculture and Food Expo (Trade) in Changchun, northeast China's Jilin Province. (People's Daily Online/Li Yang)

A girl learns to make a handicraft at the ongoing 24th China Changchun International Agriculture and Food Expo (Trade) in Changchun, northeast China's Jilin Province. (People's Daily Online/Li Yang)

Visitors admire exquisite handicrafts at the ongoing 24th China Changchun International Agriculture and Food Expo (Trade) in Changchun, northeast China's Jilin Province. (People's Daily Online/Li Yang)