BARI Nike Air Force 1 07 Scontate , Italy, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- China beat Cuba in straight sets on Saturday to become the only team that have yet to lose a set in the 2014 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship.


The World No. 5 Chinese, who have already qualified for the second round, brushed aside Cuba 25-15, 25-11, 25-18. They will play with World No. 3 Japan in their final Pool D game to vie for the top spot of the group on Sunday.


Host Italy survived a scare as they came back from one set down to beat Germany 21-25, 25-17, 25-10, 25-18.


Italy stay at the top of the Pool A standings and their match with the Dominican Republic on Sunday will decide who finish first and who second.


World No. 1 Brazil also staged a spectacular fightback when overcame a 2-0 deficit to edge Turkey 17-25, 22-25, 25-19, 25-21, 15-10.


Turkey need to beat winless Cameroon on Sunday to secure their own ticket to the second round.


The United States, world No. 2, had a rather easy game where they beat Thailand 25-15, 25-13, 25-20 to remain on full points, tied with Russia at the top of the Pool C standings.


CHICAGO, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- Gold futures on the COMEX division of the New York Mercantile Exchange probed briefly above 1,300 U.S. dollar per ounce early Friday but settled lower as safe-heaven demand eased.


The most active gold contract for December delivery went down 80 cents, or 0.06 percent, to settle at 1,291.60 dollars per ounce.


The terrorist attack in Barcelona, Spain and uncertainty over President Donald Trump's pro-business agenda had fueled safe-heaven demand and pushed up the gold prices.


The Dow Jones Industrial Average, during a volatile session, rallied from trading in the negative territory as reports emerged that U.S. President Trump decided to fire his controversial chief strategist Steve Bannon.


When equities rise, the gold futures usually fall.


Profit-taking also played a role in the gold's retreat, especially ahead of the weekend, said some analysts.


As for other precious metals, silver for September delivery fell 5.3 cents, or 0.31 percent, to close at 17 dollars per ounce. Platinum for October rose 70 cents, or 0.07 percent, to settle at 982.4 dollars per ounce.


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By Huang Yongxian


SHIJIAZHUANG, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- For nearly 50 years, Zhao Yuming has been immersed in his own world of clay figurines. At age 62, Zhao is the only remaining clay sculpture master craftsman in Laoting County, Hebei Province.


FIVE HUNDRED YEAR HISTORY


Clay sculpture is one of the main traditional crafts in Laoting. For Zhao, becoming a master of intangible cultural heritage is not only an honor, but at the same time a responsibility and a source of pressure.


Zhao can get financial support from the government, but he must personally teach the next generation to avoid the loss of this traditional art.


Laoting clay sculpture has a nearly 500-year history.


"If we do not pass it on, we will do a disservice to our country. Inheriting the skills, honoring ourselves and repaying the country is the best option," Zhao said.


In ancient times, Laoting clay figurines were mainly children's toys made by rural artisans. But in the 1930s, folk art, such as drum operas and shadow play, provided another use for figurines that exhibited decorative or collection value, which became known as "literary clay figurines."


After the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, there were several workshops in villages in Laoting County and the production reached a high level, but the prices were too low. Clay figurines were sold for just a few pennies each.


Nevertheless, for a long period, many clay artists relied on making and selling clay figurines at those meager prices to make ends meet.


Until the end of the last century, the clay figurines were the only toys of many Chinese children. At that time, even children living in cities had few toys, let alone those in rural areas.


In the past 10 years, China has become the second largest economy in the world and is now a significant toy production and consumption market. Shopping malls are full of high end toys, so the rustic Laoting clay figurines have gradually fallen out of favor.


However, some craftsmen, like Zhao, have chosen to continue the tradition. He said that although his children have other jobs to feed their families, he still wants to pass on his skills to them and his grandchildren.


Facing a demand for sustained economic development, many regions are increasingly attaching importance to the protection and inheritance of valuable traditional cultural skills, so as to promote the development of local economies and contribute to the goal of building "a beautiful China."


REVIVAL IN A NEW ERA


Shi Tinghong, director of the Laoting Cultural Heritage Center, said that the government has encouraged the elderly to pass on traditional skills as much as they can.


Supportive policies include subsidies, encouraging folk artists to produce more products and organize more performances for local residents, and granting "Master of Intangible Cultural Heritage" certificates at national, provincial and local levels.


Shi said that the government will also step up efforts to protect and support Laoting clay figurines, and continue to develop and innovate on the basis of preserving its artistic features and combining them with modern aesthetic needs, so that thi. Cheap Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys Wholesale Cheap Jerseys From China Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping Cheap Jerseys China Wholesale Cheap Soccer Jerseys China Cheap NCAA Hockey Jerseys Cheap Soccer Jerseys From China Cheap Replica MLB Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys