For nearly 50 years, Zhao Yuming has been absorbed in his own world of clay figurines (泥塑). At age 62, Zhao is the only remaining clay sculpture master craftsman in Laoting County, Hebei Province. He has been officially recognised as a master of intangible cultural heritage (非物质文化遗产). 【小题1】 This is more of a responsibility and a source of pressure.  

【小题2】 In ancient times, Laoting clay figurines were mainly children’s toys made by countryside artists. 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. 【小题3】 However, for a long period, many clay artists relied on making and selling clay figurines at those poor prices to make ends meet.  

Nowadays, shopping malls are full of high-end toys, so the Laoting clay figurines have gradually fallen out of favor. 【小题4】 Zhao 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. “If we do not pass it on, we will do a disservice to our country. Passing on the skills, honoring ourselves and repaying the country is the best option.” 

Facing a demand for economic development, many regions are increasingly attaching importance to the protection of valuable traditional cultural skills. People come to realise that developing our cultural relics promotes the development of local economies. 【小题5】