|

Shengzhou, a county-level city under Shaoxing in East China's Zhejiang province, is vitalizing its centuries-old Zhamian noodle industry as part of broader efforts to boost rural income, safeguard food safety, and preserve intangible cultural heritage.

Through the integration of over 100 traditional Zhamian workshops into a unified industry association, Shengzhou is advancing a development framework that links intangible cultural heritage with food safety and rural vitalization — based on collaboration among village collectives, agricultural cooperatives, and farmers.

In 2024, the industry's output value exceeded 200 million yuan ($27.85 million), with Xitan and Dianqian villages contributing over 70 percent. Collective income grows 45 percent annually, and per capita income surged from 20,000 yuan in 2010 to 80,000 yuan.

Intangible cultural heritage inheritor training for Zhamian has cultivated more than 50 young artisans. Over 60 factories provide 1,200 jobs, while joint vocational training with the government adds 200 jobs annually.