This picture taken on April 14, 2025 shows teacher Xu Yan writing Nushu characters during a workshop in Beijing. Nushu, «female script», was created around 400 years ago when women were still barred from attending school. They secretly learned Chinese characters and adapted them into Nushu, using the script to communicate with each other through letters, songs, and embroidery. (Photo by Pedro PARDO / AFP) / TO GO WITH AFP STORY CHINA-CULTURE-HISTORY, FOCUS BY ISABEL KUA WITH EMILY WANG IN SHANGHAI
