This article highlights key works on Chinese papermaking and Chinese paper fibres. It characterizes the properties of modern handmade Chinese Xuan and Pi papers, by SEM imaging and EDS (for morphology of fibres such as straw containing phytoliths) analysis. Colourimetry (for discoloration before and after aging), zero-span tensile testing (for physical strength), and pH (for chemical quality) were also undertaken. Findings from these studies were applied to the development of a conservation treatment for a Chinese woodblock print.