Pingtan Shell Carving and Pingtan Sand Painting – souvenirs crafted with meticulous artistry on display

Pingtan, China's second international tourism island in Fujian Province celebrated for its rich maritime culture and intangible cultural heritage (ICH), capped off the 2025 BFA XXXI Asian Baseball Championship by gifting custom ICH souvenirs to every participating team. Crafted by local ICH inheritors, these one-of-a-kind tokens wove together baseball themes, team identities, and Pingtan's traditional craftsmanship—serving as a vibrant cultural bridge between the sports event and the island's heritage.

Pakistan Baseball Team representative receives PingtanShell Carving souvenir

The souvenirs starred three iconic Pingtan ICH art forms: shell carving, sand painting, and paper cutting—each tailored to honor the team it was meant for.

Pingtan Shell Carving souvenir by Jiang Xinzhong & Zhou Ming

Pingtan shell carving, a beloved local craft, shone as a highlight, with three inheritors at the helm. Jiang Xinzhong (provincial-level ICH inheritor) and Zhou Ming (district-level ICH inheritor) blended sports and culture in their pieces. For Pakistan's team, they carved baseballs from yellow butterfly shells, etched a Pingtan map on scallop shells, and depicted Pakistan's national jasmine flower on white jade shells. For Palestine, black butterfly shells formed baseballs, while abalone shells were shaped into olive branches—a symbol of peace. For Hong Kong, China's team, red-mouthed conchs featured carvings of bauhinia flowers, Hong Kong's iconic symbol.

Pingtan Shell Carving souvenirs by Zhan Sheng

Zhan Sheng, a national first-class craftsman and provincial-level shell carving inheritor, added innovation by pairing shell carving with bodiless lacquerware (a national-level ICH). His works—including pieces for China's national team and Chinese Taipei's team—boasted a bold "Chinese red" palette and a circular baseball base, with details mirroring each team's jersey colors and logos. "I studied athletes' moves and expressions over and over," Zhan said. "I wanted to pass on their focus and grit through this mix of shell carving and bodiless lacquerware."

Pingtan Sand Painting souvenirs by Lin Fuping

Lin Fuping, a district-level sand painting inheritor, used natural sea sand to create art on small porcelain plates. His series—for China, South Korea, and the Philippines—froze dynamic baseball moments: pitching arcs, powerful swings, and heart-stopping slides. Each piece captured the team's spirit: teamwork and grit for China, precision for South Korea, and energy for the Philippines. "Sand is tricky for human figures, especially detailed moves," Lin noted. "I hope these works let more people discover Pingtan sand painting."

Pingtan Paper Cutting souvenirs by Lin Meiying

Lin Meiying, another district-level inheritor, focused on paper cutting. Her "Paper Cutting – Rhythm of Heritage" series used red paper and wove in Pingtan's famous "kylin" symbol—turning kylins into baseball players, complete with caps and bats. She mixed intaglio and relief techniques: dense lines to show motion, fine sawtooth patterns to mimic kylin scales. "I had to balance new ideas with traditional paper cutting rules," Lin explained. "The kylin is a nod to my hometown—it stands for luck and strength, which matches sports spirit."

Zhou Ming called the project a "cross-border blend." "It shows ICH still has life," he said. "I hope events like this help Pingtan reach a larger audience."