Global connection | Explore the unpopular bond of the British silk town and China

Hundreds of years ago, thanks to the business exchanges brought by the ancient Silk Road, McClesfield, British town, was famous for its prosperity of the silk industry. Today, the silk culture continues and inherited in the town. The reporter recently walked into this England's "Silk Capital" and felt the efforts of the local people to continue the silk culture and seeking the road of cooperation.

McLSfield is located in Chai County, northwest of England, with a population of about 50,000. The 18th and 19th centuries were the heyday of the silk industry in the town, and there were more than 70 silk manufacturing plants.

Today, although there are not many silk manufacturing plants in the town, silk is still the most eye -catching element here: the apartment building is named "Silk House", the shopping square is called "Silk Retail Park", and the ring road is named The "Silk Road" is named after the "Silk Frying".

At the Town Tourism Information Center, a silk painting similar to Chinese fan -embroidered has attracted many tourists to stop. The thin silk surface is painted with pink flowers and a butterfly next to it. This work is dyed by the local silk painter Luz Lyl.

There are many folk artists like Lyl in the town, and they are committed to inheriting the traditional skills of silk manufacturing. Jeff Corge is also one of them. Koglon told reporters that the small cultural and creative companies he operated are trying to integrate ancient silk elements with modern art, such as making various types of greeting cards in the background of ancient silk.

On August 11, workers worked in a silk factory in McLsfield, England. Photo by Li Ying, a reporter from Xinhua News Agency

Many British people regard McCarsfield as the western end of the ancient Silk Road in Europe. In terms of souvenirs such as coasters and tea towels, the ancient Silk Road elements have frequently appeared. The reporter saw such a text on a coaster: "The ancient Silk Road extends from Xi'an, China to McLSfield."

During the conversation, Corron shared with reporters the "puzzled bond" of his eyes and China. He said that in the past, many local silk manufacturers imported a large amount of silk raw materials from China, and in recent years, many Chinese tourists have come to McLSfield to explore the history of silk, "this humanistic exchange is needed between Britain and China."

McCarsfield still retains a small -scale silk industry. One of the textile companies named Adamley combined traditional silk printing technology with modern digital printing technology to produce high -end silk fabrics. The company's chief executive officer Trlo Manukian told reporters that the company has cooperated with China for 15 years, and 80%of silk raw materials are imported from China because "the best quality silk fabrics in the world".

On August 11, workers worked in a silk factory in McLsfield, England. Photo by Li Ying, a reporter from Xinhua News Agency

Manukian visited China many times, and he was impressed by the development of China's silk weaving industry. "I visited China for the first time 15 years ago ... When I went to China in 2018, the improvement of the hardware facilities of Chinese corporate enterprises surprised me." In Manukian's view, the "Belt and Road" initiative benefited McCarsfield. He said he was happy to cooperate between the two countries.

In McLsfield, silk is not only an industry, but also a cultural bond. In June of this year, the British Shaanxi Chamber of Commerce Institute, the British Silk Road Hipline Foundation invited representatives of the British party to gather McCarsfield, to carry out a dialogue activity combining the theme of Silk Road and online and offline with the theme of the Silk Road. This is one of the British "Fourth China Tourism Culture Week" sponsored by the Tourism Office of London and supported by the Cultural Division of the British Embassy.

Produced by Xinhua News Agency International Department

Produced by Xinhua News Agency International Communication integration platform

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