Small Chinese county sells luxury Persian carpets to the world

Almost 5,000 kilometers from Iran, a county in central China is producing premium hand-woven silk Persian carpets and gaining global recognition.

Persian carpets are uncommon in China. Nonetheless, Nanzhao, a small county in China's Henan province, has been producing these carpets for over 40 years and selling them worldwide, dominating the hand-made silk Persian carpet market globally.

Today, machines can be used in the production process, but they can do only a small part of the job. Weavers are still irreplaceable in making the best quality rugs.

"We need to tie a knot around each thread," said Zhang Yanli, a worker at Nanyang Yuxiang Arts and Crafts Company.

Originating from Iran, Persian carpets are not just floor coverings but are also recognized as woven arts. These textiles are famous for their exquisite craftsmanship, intricate designs and patterns, and rich history.

Carpets made of silk are especially precious. The artistry of the weaver, design intricacy, and knot density determine how much time is necessary to create a carpet. Craftspeople may require years to manually complete a superior carpet.

"[Look at] the knots here. The denser it is, the more knots you'll find. These are 200 to 300 [threads]. To make this carpet, it needs to tie 90,000 knots per square foot," said Sun Jianhui, general manager of Nanyang Yuxiang Arts and Crafts Co., Ltd

Nanzhao has a history of 2,000 years of breeding tussah silkworms. The county offers a land area spanning 1,000 square kilometers for silkworm cultivation, nurturing nearly 1,500 kilograms of tussah silkworms annually. It can produce one million kilograms of silkworm cocoons a year, generating more than 30,000 yuan, or about 4,000 U.S. dollars, for each silkworm farmer.

"Our climate has distinct four seasons, and our region is known as the hometown of Chinese tussah silkworms. Additionally, we have abundant resources, and oak leaves are a favorite food of the silkworms, making it an excellent feed for them," said Wu Yunsheng, manager of the Nanzhao No. 1 Silkworm Seed Center.

The county has a long tradition of weaving rugs with tussah silk. Now, thanks to its thriving silkworm industry, Nanzhao boasts over a dozen silk and handicraft production plants, creating carpets, rugs, quilts, bedding, clothing, and napkins.

Small Chinese county sells luxury Persian carpets to the world

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva met with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Brasilia on Wednesday, expressing the willingness to strengthen bilateral ties and expand cooperation.

Lula said that Brazil and China have built strong mutual trust and deepened cooperation across various fields, showing that Brazil's steadfast friendship with China is the right choice and a model for South-South cooperation.

He said that he looks forward to maintaining close high-level exchanges with China, further strengthening economic and trade ties, and expanding the mutually beneficial cooperation in finance, energy and other fields.

China's firm and forceful countermeasures against the "reciprocal tariffs" is admirable, said the Brazilian president, noting that China's just actions have received widespread support while certain country's irresponsible and unilateral practices warrant joint resistance.

Brazil is willing to work with China to advocate free trade, defend international rules, and counter any power overriding international justice, the president added.

Wang, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that China is willing to work with Brazil to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state and push for more outcomes in building a China-Brazil community with a shared future.

China will strengthen its cooperation with BRICS and Global South countries, adhere to multilateralism and safeguard international rules, he said.

On the same day, Wang attended the 15th Meeting of BRICS National Security Advisers and High Representatives on National Security in Brasilia.

Brazilian president meets Chinese FM on closer ties, cooperation