In the residential compound of the Hubei Provincial Department of Science and Technology, 91-year-old Liang Guanjun is meticulously hand-sewing realistic miniature pandas. Having retired from the former Hubei Provincial Science and Technology Committee in 1982 with a stable monthly pension, Liang could have easily lived a life of leisure. However, he chose not to settle for a life of comfort. Since 2008, he has been obsessed with crafting realistic pandas. Under his skilled hands, these plush toys become lifelike, nearly indistinguishable from the real animals. Motivated by the dominance of foreign characters like Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck in the market, Liang set a goal: "We must help pandas reclaim the market from Mickey Mouse." He spent much of his time searching through Hanzheng Street and Yanzhi Road for the perfect fabrics and fillings, and even experimented with silicone molds to achieve unparalleled realism. To commercialize his creations, Liang registered his business, applied for design patents for his realistic pandas, and opened a panda craft studio. He aims to foster entrepreneurship by training apprentices, such as his first student, Chen Xiaojuan, from Shenzhen. After covering their basic living expenses, the duo reinvests all their earnings back into raw materials. Over the past year, they have handcrafted more than 1,000 panda-themed items, including dolls, prints, headwear, badges, clothing, car pendants, electric toys, and cartoon decorations. These exquisite products have gained significant market popularity. Due to the purely handmade nature of the work, even with his apprentice's help, they can only produce one panda per day. To scale up, Liang is collaborating with artists and designers in Wuhan to form a Panda Craftsmanship Entrepreneurship Alliance. He hopes to find technical expertise to industrialize certain components and reduce costs. "It is difficult for unemployed female workers to find jobs, but handicraft is an ideal way for them to start a business. I am willing to teach my skills for free," Liang says.
