Colorful ribbons feature proudly, in a display at a ribbon workshop in Jingning. [Photo/lsnews.com.cn]

The traditional ribbon weaving skills of the She ethnic group in Jingning She autonomous county – administered by Lishui city in East China's Zhejiang province – was listed among the fifth group of national intangible cultural heritage items recently released by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, local media reported.

According to Lan Yanlan, an official inheritor of the weaving skills, as the traditional handicraft fabric of the She ethnic group, the ribbon is the "living fossil" of the She culture, as well as the emblem for making pledges of love, as well as for marriage ceremonies and blessings for a good life for the She people.

Lan Yanlan works on a ribbon. [Photo/lsnews.com.cn]

"The ribbon culture has been passed down from generation to generation in the She ethnic group and we feel very happy that it is now included on the national intangible heritage list. I must pass on the skills carefully," Lan said.

Local officials said the county has always attached great importance to the inheritance and promotion of traditional She culture. They said this is the fourth national intangible cultural heritage item recognized from Jingning.