Since its establishment in 2011, the institute has cultivated more than 1,100 performers for folk music and dance, including the intangible cultural heritage haicaiqiang, traditional music popular in Honghe.

"I'm very proud that so many intangible cultural heritages are kept alive in my hometown of Honghe prefecture. They are unique in China and even in the world," said Li Huaixiu.

"We hope they will be inherited and passed on so that people can enjoy the authentic haicaiqiang whenever they visit Honghe prefecture and Shiping county."