Heritage sites are at risk from natural forces. Natural disasters, the sudden and powerful natural forces, can     1     (gradual) wear down the heritage sites. Another big danger is human activities. In some conflict areas     2     civil wars often break out, fighters have even destroyed heritage sites     3     purpose.     4     , World Heritage status may give rise     5     a series of problems. Due to human population     6     (grow), the demand for production and consumption of goods increases. Widespread development puts our cultural and natural heritage sites in danger, many of     7     are even at risk of being lost forever. Such dangers can have disastrous     8     (outcome) not only for the sites themselves, but also     9     people. Heritage protection is at the     10     of the agenda for the benefit of all mankind.

Led by China’s National Cultural Heritage Administration, the country’s first conference     1     (dedicate) to future trends in cultural relic conservation through high-technology was held on Wednesday in Chongqing.

The conference focused     2     China’s innovations in recent years in technological equipment for protecting cultural relics. It also looked into the challenges in the field     3     discussed future paths to better integrating high-tech designs into the country’s archeological     4     (project).

The experts discussed initiatives such as application of big data in the archeological field, the use of nuclear technology     5     (conserve) relics, and the application of Radar Technology Equipment in the archeological field.

Li Qun, director of the National Cultural Heritage Administration, said that the cultural relic protection equipment has become     6     “indispensable” means of the preservation of cultural heritage in China.

In 2018, experts from China and Italy gathered in Chongqing to share exchanges on technological inventions,     7     (address) issues such as stone relic restoration and new materials for wooden relic     8     (restore).

Aside from the main conference, an exhibition called Crafts First: Technology and Equipment for Cultural Relics Preservation     9     (launch) as part of the event. The show features 64 items of technological equipment such as a wearable smart piece     10     provides visitors with immersive experiences from inside the cave temples.

A Sweet Art— Sugar Painting

In and around China’s southwestern Sichuan province, one can often find folk artists producing sugar     1     (painting) with liquid sugar along the streets and in the parks.

According to some academic studies, sugar painting originated from the Ming Dynasty when sugar animals and figures     2     (make) in molds (模具) as part of a sacrifice in religious ceremony. In the Qing Dynasty, sugar painting gained more     3     (popular). The production techniques were upgraded and the patterns became more various, most of     4     stood for good luck such as fish, dragon and monkey. Afterward, the folk artists in Sichuan     5     (develop) this art by adding techniques of Chinese shadow puppet and Chinese paper cutting. The molds were also replaced     6     a small bronze spoon. As time passed by, the contemporary form of sugar painting has     7     (gradual) evolved.

Although the number of sugar painters has decreased, due to its unique charm, a certain number of artists are making efforts     8     (preserve) it by offering classes, holding relevant activities such as sugar painting contests and applying for the National Non-material Cultural Heritage.

Nowadays, this art is getting support again from the general public     9     it has already been listed as Provincial Non-Material Culture Heritage by the Sichuan Government. Moreover, the sugar painting artists have gained     10     (increase) recognition.