Huang Cheng, a Chinese pyrotechnic artist, is using creative firework displays to entertain spectators from around the world.
Liuyang, a small county-level city in central China's Hunan Province, has long been at the heart of the global fireworks industry. Its fireworks account for 70 percent of China's total exports, securing its dominant position in the global market.

Many visitors to the small city have traveled from afar to see grand fireworks shows. Behind the sublime displays are teams of pyrotechnic artists like Huang, who uses storyboards, a stopwatch and other tools to orchestrate celestial spectacles.

As a young, successful fireworks show director, Huang leads a team of skilled professionals to put together firework spectacles that light up smiles on thousands of faces every time. He is proud of his art, which combines China's intangible cultural heritage with cutting-edge technology.
"I [have been] to many countries. I really feel that China [is] the hometown of fireworks in the world," the fireworks show director said.

Many who have seen Huang's shows say it was the most impressive they have ever seen. Every show is carefully orchestrated, with every detail coming together to capture the audience.

"Usually we'll consider the emotion of the audience, the music and many, many things together, [to] let the audience understand our design," said Huang.

Over the years Huang has staged shows in many countries across the globe. To him, being able to bring joy to so many people with fireworks is the biggest reward.

"I feel very proud as a Chinese that I can use my skills to let other people all over the world see beautiful things and feel happy. I always say, fireworks are the happiest things in the world. It can bloom in the mountains, it can bloom [over] the river, it can bloom everywhere in the world. [Some] use this powder to fight [in wars], but [in] China, we use this powder to make all the world happy. So I feel very proud," he said.