Li had never learned calligraphy, so he decided to learn it with his own hands before practicing calligraphy with a string puppet. His calligraphy improved after months of practice. 

However, manipulating a 7.7-pound puppet with multiple and complex strings to write a Chinese character was not as easy as Li had thought. His determination to revive string puppet shows helped him persist through these difficulties.

After more than 10 years of practice, Li finally mastered the skill of puppet calligraphy. During his shows, the string puppets under his hands are like living characters that have emotions and spirit, but most surprisingly, they can write beautiful Chinese characters smoothly.

The string puppet calligraphy show. [Photo/fjsen.com.cn]

As Li often says, "Pursuing art never ends," so he began to practice manipulating puppets to play jinghu in 2007.

Li Mingqing's unique skills have once again brought the art of Liancheng string puppet shows under the spotlight. His string puppet shows where puppets write calligraphy and play jinghu have been staged across the country.

In Li Mingqinq's string puppet show, puppets are able to play jinghu and write calligraphy. [Photo/fjsen.com.cn]

While Li has found success incorporating traditional arts like the jinghu and calligraphy, he is also concerned about the inheritance of the art of Liancheng string puppet shows.

In 2010, Liancheng Puppet Art Teaching Center signed an agreement with Liancheng Experimental Primary School  to host a string puppet teaching activity every week. Li often takes part in the activities to teach students string puppetry skills.

"I hope the string puppet activities in classrooms can cultivate young people's interest in puppet shows, and I also hope students will be proud of Liancheng string puppet art," said Li.