MasterOfCrafts | Inheritor of Duxianqin in S China's Guangxi-Xinhua

DONGXING, March 1 (Xinhua) -- On Jintan Beach in Dongxing City of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Su Haizhen plays the Duxianqin, or single-stringed musical instrument, showcasing the unique charm of the Jing ethnic group's special instrument.

Su Haizhen plays the Duxianqin on Jintan Beach in Dongxing City, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Feb. 7, 2026. (Xinhua/Lu Boan)

The Jing people are among China's smaller ethnic minority groups, and the only one whose economy is primarily based on marine fishing. They mainly reside in Dongxing City of Guangxi. Duxianqin is a distinctive ethnic instrument of Dongxing's Jing community. With just one string and one lever, it can produce six registers and three octaves. In 2011, the Duxianqin art of Jing people was listed as one of the national intangible cultural heritages in China.

Su Haizhen checks the traditional attire which is worn when playing the Duxianqin in Dongxing City, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Feb. 7, 2026. (Xinhua/Lu Boan)

Su Haizhen discusses with her husband on the making skills of Duxianqin in Dongxing City, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Feb. 7, 2026. (Xinhua/Lu Boan)

Su Haizhen, a Jing native from Dongxing who grew up by the sea, comes from a family that has been dedicated to preserving Jing culture since her grandfather's generation. In 1987, she began formally studying to play the Duxianqin. Today, she is a regional-level representative inheritor of the Duxianqin art of Jing people in the autonomous region. Over nearly four decades of research, inheriting, and development of the instrument, Su has been continuously refining her playing skills while improving the instrument's craftsmanship and exploring innovative performance styles. She is also committed to nurturing more enthusiasts and inheritors of the art.

Su Haizhen introduces Duxianqin to audience via live-streaming in Dongxing City, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Feb. 7, 2026. (Xinhua/Lu Boan)

Su Haizhen guides a student in playing the Duxianqin at an inheriting center in Dongxing City, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Feb. 6, 2026. (Xinhua/Lu Boan)

Su Haizhen (L) talks with an inheritor of traditional attires of Jing people on the making of Jing people's hat in Jiangping Town of Dongxing City, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Feb. 7, 2026. (Xinhua/Lu Boan)

In 2023, after becoming a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Su Haizhen felt a stronger sense of mission and responsibility to preserve and promote China's traditional culture. While advocating for Duxianqin education in schools, she has been exploring ways to further highlight the cultural appeal of the art. Leveraging Dongxing's geographical proximity to Vietnam, she aims to foster deeper cultural exchanges and cooperation between China and ASEAN countries like Vietnam.