This is called the "craftsmanship spirit", a term made popular by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in this year's Government Work Report. It calls on the relationship a craftsman has with his work, a special relationship which values quality above all else.

"The core of 'craftsman's spirit' is respect for the work. Every successful craftsman should love and respect their profession," He says. "Only when you spare every effort to reach perfection in your work, you can finally be recognized as a craftsman."

He's San-yuan violin brought him fame and reputation, and earned him a place as a guest professor at the Orchestra Department of Sichuan Conservatory of Music in 2003.

The title affords He the opportunity to pass on his experiences and inspire the next generation of craftsmen in search of perfection.

"Professor may be too lofty a title for a carpenter," He says. "Yet to me, it means trust and responsibility."

Statistics show that China now produces 80 percent of the world's violins, though by and large the quality is still in search of European standards.