A suite of furniture on display at the "Baigong Cup" Whole-House Wooden Furniture Design Competition. [Photo/Tide News]

The 18th China (Dongyang) Woodcarving and Bamboo Weaving Arts and Crafts Expo, along with the first "Baigong Cup" Whole-House Wooden Furniture Design Competition, will be held from Nov 14 to 23 in Dongyang, a county-level city in Jinhua, Zhejiang province, according to a news conference on Nov 11.

Dongyang, known as the "World Woodcarving Capital" and the "Hometown of Arts and Crafts", boasts a thriving wood-carved furnishings industry with a complete industrial chain. The city is home to over 1,300 enterprises in the wood-carved and bamboo-weaved furnishings industry, eight wood and furniture trading markets, and 65 national and provincial-level master artisans.

However, shifting consumer preferences and consumption trends have posed new challenges. Younger consumers now value products that are stylish, practical, and affordable, urging the industry, which had long focused on the mid-to-high-end market, to innovate and adapt.

In response, the "Baigong Cup" competition was launched, focusing on creating affordable, high-quality furniture. Participants were asked to design a full suite of furniture for four living spaces, priced under 200,000 yuan ($28,096.21), blending traditional craftsmanship with modern design.

The competition attracted 152 entries from across China, with 100 selected for final production. Public voting will take place from Nov 14 to 16, followed by expert judging on Nov 17 to 18, and an awards ceremony on Nov 22.

This year's expo introduces a new format, featuring three core activities, three exhibitions, a craft market, and a design forum, offering a platform for industry trends and innovation.