Chen Peiliang presents Yiwu brown sugar crafts at the Spring Festival Gala sub-venue. [Photo/Screenshot of the CMG 2026 Spring Festival Gala]

A pot of bubbling brown sugar captured hearts at the Yiwu 2026 Spring Festival Gala sub-venue, spotlighting the traditional craft of Yiwu brown sugar making presented by Chen Peiliang, a representative inheritor of this intangible cultural heritage. Chen emphasized that he ladles not just sugar, but a lifetime of sweet living.

Chen, from Butou village in Yiwu, a county-level city in Jinhua, Zhejiang province, learned sugar-making from his father, mastering heat control and flavor. Returning to his hometown in 2006 after leaving, he was determined to promote brown sugar traditions.

Chen registered the "Qiao Tang Bang" trademark, designed packaging, and employed experienced masters to retain the traditional crafts and young workers to explore markets. His dedication to authentic flavors quickly gained traction.

Participating in exhibitions, he introduced Yiwu brown sugar to a broader audience, establishing a stable retail presence. In 2016, he built a sugarcane plantation to ensure quality from the source.

Chen has dedicated his efforts in recent years to preserving and promoting this craft. He conducts workshops, lectures in schools, and trains apprentices, ensuring the craft's legacy. He also organizes the Yiwu Brown Sugar Cultural Festival, showcasing the entire sugar-making process.

By integrating brown sugar with Yiwu's cultural identity, he has also transformed it into unique city souvenirs.

From learning with his father to becoming a cultural ambassador, Chen's journey embodies the sweet tradition of Yiwu brown sugar, blending heritage with innovation.