A huge Nantong banyao kite. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

Nantong in East China's Jiangsu province is renowned nationwide as the "hometown of kites". Through kite flying and competition events, the city is driving steady growth in its kite economy.

"For the past 40 years, the kites I've made probably wouldn't even fit on a train car. My whole family relies on my craftsmanship for a living, with an annual income of at least 150,000 yuan ($20,666)," said Yao Jianqiang as he crafted an 18-centimeter whistle in the Chunhua Banyao Kite Studio in Xinyuan Community.

As one of the representative inheritors of the banyao kite making craft in Nantong, Yao, influenced by his family, has had a passion for kite making since childhood. His kite works have won numerous awards and are highly favored in domestic and international markets.

He mentioned, "Besides selling kites in cities and provinces such as Beijing, Shandong, and Guangdong, my kites have also 'flown' overseas, being exported to Singapore, France, and other countries."

The reputation of the Chunhua Banyao Kite Studio is growing, attracting many residents from the surrounding area to learn the craft from Yao. This not only boosts more people's income but also turns Xinyuan Community into a "kite village".

An industry insider explained that due to the complex production process, a lack of professional talent, and high prices, Nantong banyao kites once faced the dilemma of fading from the market for a while. However, through on-site visits and online promotion, Nantong banyao kites have regained attention and become an essential part of Nantong's cultural and tourism promotion.

Nantong banyao kites have evolved from a cultural heritage to a truly prosperous industry. The price of a medium-sized whistle banyao kite often exceeds 1,000 yuan, and the annual income of a professional banyao kite maker is close to 200,000 yuan.

Yao, vice-president of the Nantong Kite Association, said, "Currently, based on the most conservative estimates, the annual output value of banyao kites in Nantong has reached millions of yuan, with great potential for further development."

Notably, through organizing a series of kite flying events, the Nantong Kite Association has not only made a name for itself but also gradually stepped onto the international stage, achieving a win-win situation for cultural exchange and economic development.