Editor's notes

Although China’s southernmost province of Hainan is also the youngest, the past decade has seen a continuous deepening of the process of reform and opening up. As the province has been building itself into a Free Trade Port with Chinese characteristics, it has become a microcosm of China's development story and the indelible proof that the country is "opening ever wider the door to the outside world." As part of welcoming the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Hainan International Media Center (HIMC) has planned and is launching the Ten Years on in Hainan: An Expat Perspective video series. Presenting China's development achievements and the construction process of the Hainan Free Trade Port with "fresh eyes", this series features several long-term foreign residents of Hainan sharing what they see, think, and feel concerning both Hainan and greater China. Although the guests on this program hail from different countries and work in different industries, one thing they have in common is they have spent years witnessing Hainan change and grow. What specialties do they have with China and Hainan? How do they understand China's development achievements and future plans? What are their views on the blueprint for the construction of the Hainan Free Trade Port? Starting from September 28, the Ten Years on in Hainan: An Expat Perspective program will share with you these expats' unique stories and wonderful perspectives.

Nicki Johnson and Ally Duckett from the United States, along with Inge Adendorff from South Africa and a local Chinese artist have formed a team of Li brocade inspired artists called Magnificent Li Handicrafts.

Nicki Johnson has been living in Hainan for 17 years, and her first encounter with Li brocade was a gift from a friend. Due to her work, Nicki has had the chance to visit several Li villages to learn more about Li brocade techniques and Li culture. She said that when she sees a Li brocade pattern, she is very excited to take pictures of it with her phone, then study it later at home, and ask people who might know about it to tell her more about the meaning. When people ask about the handicrafts she designs, Nicki is thrilled to share the stories behind the different Li brocade patterns that inspire them. She hopes that more people will learn about and become interested in the culture, history, and beauty of Li Brocade.

Ally has been living in Hainan for ten years. In 2020, Ally found out about the competition for the 2020 Hainan Culture Week of Brocade & Embroidery World Art - A Creative Design Screening Selection of Li Brocade and Decorative Patterns. That was the first time she learned about Li brocade patterns, and she was immediately fascinated by them. She decided to design beachwear with Li brocade patterns for the contest. Coincidentally, she met Inge, who offered to help her with the clothing patterns. Ally later started adding Li brocade patterns to her digital painting and abstract art, thus finding a broader creative direction.

Inge, who has been in Hainan for three years, came from a design background. When she first saw Li brocade, she felt that it was full of stories. When it comes to rejuvenating traditional Li brocade, Inge believes that it is essential for more young people to learn about the local culture and the skills of Li brocade.

For three of them, Li brocade is an art that tells many tales, a continuation of an ancient culture, and a vivid embodiment of natural life. They each have found their own way to bring people from around the world into contact with this ancient art, and hope that everyone who encounters Li brocade will fall in love with it just as they have, and join in the effort to keep the tradition alive.