The core value of Chinese traditional culture is the concept of harmony. Harmony is, in fact, a complete cultural system that consists of not only     1     (value) but also a philosophy with its own world outlook. Harmony means “proper and balanced cooperation between things”.

    2     harmony at the heart, traditional Chinese principles suggest that there is a built-in dynamic in the universe that turns imbalance into balance. This concept, deeply     3     (mix) into the history of Chinese society, advocates for a balanced and     4     (peace) coexistence within the individual, between people, and between humanity and nature.

At the centre of Chinese cultural harmony is the belief in the interconnectedness of all things. It     5     (reflect) in various aspects of Chinese life, from the emphasis on family unity and social bond     6     the practice of traditional arts and the governance of the state.

The significance of harmony in Chinese culture cannot be overstated. It has shaped China’s approach to international relations,     7     (highlight) harmonious coexistence and shared benefit. In taking care of the environment,     8     inspires efforts to live according to natural cycles and to respect all forms of life. Moreover, the concept of harmony,     9     has enabled China to maintain social stability and cultural consistency despite the challenges of history, offers a model for settling conflicts and promoting a sense of community and belonging. As the world becomes     10     (steady) interconnected, the principles of Chinese cultural harmony offer valuable insights for creating a more balanced and sustainable global society.

Oolong is a traditional Chinese tea     1    (produce) through a complex process. It is a familiar drink to anyone who often goes to Chinese restaurants, as it’s a frequent tea choice served along     2     Chinese dishes.

There are various grades of oolong tea. Some are served after     3    (dry) and packaged. Others are aged, producing complex flavors and often sold at a high price.

Tea lovers tend     4    (be) fans of numerous varieties of oolong. Most argue that it is not only the taste     5     the fragrance (香气) of oolong tea that     6    (lend) such appeal to the tea. Taste varies with different varieties. Many attribute (认为……) a strong     7    (initial) bitter taste and a sweet, melon-like finish to oolong. Oolong tea is thought to be so fragrant because the leaves     8    (harvest) when the essential oils of the tea are most present and strong.

In China, oolong tea was often part of traditional medicine for curing digestive problems. It has also been thought to be of help in headaches. The     9    (benefit) of green and black tea in modern medicine are connected with their presence of antioxidants(抗氧化剂),     10     may prove helpful in reducing the effects of aging and in fighting cancer.

Thunderous laughter and applause almost blew off the roof of London’s Excel Exhibition Centre     1     Saturday night, when a punchline (妙语) by Guo Degang,     2     popular Chinese traditional crosstalk performer, landed with an audience of thousands.

Along with Guo and his partner Yu Qian, a handful of     3     (comedian) from the DeYun She Performance Group started their first overseas tour in Australia in 2011. Since then, they have performed in six different countries. “Laughter is appealing and that is     4     makes the art form of crosstalk comedy powerful,” said Guo,     5     (add) that this traditional art can help overseas Chinese overcome homesickness and introduce traditional Chinese culture to a broader audience.

“Ever since I     6     (start) learning Chinese, I’ve been interested in Xiangsheng,” Christian Elliott, an audience member     7     has been learning Chinese for more than five years, told Xinhua. He wanted to see how much of the show he could understand given that there is a difference “between knowing conversational Chinese     8     knowing ‘full’ Chinese.”

In recent years, crosstalk comedy is becoming     9     (increase) popular in China, especially with young people. Guo alone currently has over 15 million followers on Douyin. With London being the first stop of its Europe tour this year, the group is expected     10     (perform) in cities including Glasgow, Paris, Milan and Madrid in the upcoming months.

If you’re into ancient Chinese architecture, check out 73-year-old Wang Yongxian on Douyin,     1     Chinese version of TikTok. Wang has built a large following for his in-depth knowledge and live streams. A     2     (retire) architect in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, Wang makes sketches (草图) and models to illustrate structural concepts, and often streams     3     the spot at buildings he is lecturing about. One viewer told China Report that Wang’s video on bucket arches, also     4     (call) dougong — one of the most important     5     (element) in traditional Chinese architecture, helped them thoroughly understand this unique building method.     6     (show) its complex system of wooden interlocking brackets (托架), Wang used a model that he     7     (careful) separated into different parts as he lectured. Unlike many fashionable online celebrities, Wang wears an understated Zhongshan suit     8     has since become his signature. Fans told China Report that Wang’s courses have made understanding ancient Chinese architecture accessible, which     9     (be) his aim when he started live streaming. “An ancient building is much     10     (precious) than an ancient painting or porcelain (瓷器), because it shows China’s ancient culture in a comprehensive and three-dimensional way,” Wang told China Report.

The Duan inkstone, one of the four most famous inkstones in China,     1     (originate) in the mountains by the Duanxi River in Guangdong Province. Since the Tang Dynasty, it has been the     2     (center) region for Duan inkstone production and even today, most of the villagers still earn their living by making inkstones.

Throughout hundreds of years, villagers have developed     3     scientific production system. The process involves stone selection, material screening, shape designing, carving, and wooden box matching, among     4     stone selection and carving are the two most important steps.

Purple     5     color, Duan inkstones are glossy and as smooth as silk. They enjoy a great reputation as they never crack even when     6     (place) in low temperatures. It is a long and laborious process to handpick flawless Duan stones. Miners dig in tunnels less than one meter high at the riverside, and using tools such as dynamite (炸药)     7     (forbid).

Carving involves good conception, and highlights the fine shape of the stones     8     carving skills. In addition to natural designs, flying dragons, flowers and birds, figures, mountains and waters are common     9     (image) carved on the stones. The matching boxes are also carefully chosen and are often made of purple sandalwood and rosewood. The Duan inkstone has various styles, and new-style products are designed one after another     10     (meet) increased export demands.

Shadow play, a conventional form of theatrical entertainment,     1     (survive) for centuries. The origins of shadow play     2     (believe) to date back to ancient China where it was later spread to other parts of the world.

The creation of puppets (木偶) is such a complex process that it demands extreme precision     3     is a test of the commitment as well as skills of craftsmen (匠人). These puppets are in     4     (they) works of art. Distinguishable character qualities appropriate for shadow performances are presented through the     5     (adopt) of realistic and abstract approaches.

In a typical shadow play performance, puppets are held behind a screen, with light cast onto the screen     6     (create) shadowy images that tell a story. The themes and characters     7     (feature) in shadow play performances vary widely depending on the cultural context.

While     8     (tradition) shadow play often involves fancy handmade puppets and fascinating storytelling, contemporary artists have explored new techniques, pushing the boundaries of     9     is possible with shadow play.

Despite the rise of digital entertainment, shadow play, a timeless tradition that goes beyond borders and generations, continues to exist     10     a valuable art form in many parts of the world.

Located within Huzhou, Zhejiang province, Xiaoxi Street stands as a historical and cultural protection block. It gracefully preserves its rich heritage       1     embracing the essence of modernity perfectly.

With       2     (impress) buildings dating back to the late Qing Dynasty, this historic place, situated alongside the Caodu River, once       3     (serve) as a junction place for ancient canal transportation. The river, acting as a vital channel linking the mountainous regions of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui provinces       4     Huzhou city, played a significant role in the prosperity of this greatly respected block.

Throughout history, Xiaoxi Street attracted honored families, rich merchants, and government officials, resulting in the       5     (create) of masses of architectural wonders that have stood the test of time.

Among these treasures, the residence(豪宅) of Niu Fubao,       6     unusual Qing Dynasty official, stands as a noticeable highlight. Constructed by a merchant from Huizhou, the complex,       7     (display) distinctive Huizhou-style architecture, was later acquired by the Niu family. Remarkably, the complex boasts delicate stone carvings on       8     (it) doors and a rare high-level beam structure, carefully     9     (preserve) to this day. Since 2013, the local government has undertaken a comprehensive project aimed at protecting this historic block. Meanwhile, modern cultural industries, including galleries, pottery-making workshops and public libraries,       10     (integrate) to breathe youthful vitality into the area, transforming the block into a center of cultural and creative industries.

With a history of thousands of years,     1     comes as very little surprise that China s home to a myriad (大量的) of holidays and festivals, both old and new, sprinkled throughout the year. Most prominent of these is doubtless the Spring Festival holiday.

Due to the vast territory of the country, traditions surrounding Spring Festival vary from provınce to province,     2     those traveling during the holiday period can experience new and interesting ways to enjoy the festival and its customs.

My first experience of Spring Festival was in Changchun, capital of Jilin Province in Northeast China,     3     I spent the holiday with the family of a friend, eating dumplings and watching the Spring Festival Gala with the constant explosion of fireworks     4     (go) off in the background.

What I didn’t realize was these traditions,     5     similar in many ways, vary across the country. For example, the southern regions of China have a number of customs and celebrations that     6     (difference) from those in the north, in particular those in Guangdong Province and nearby Hong Kong.

A common tradition for the locals of Hong Kong is to ring in the New Year at Wong Tai Sin temple. During Lunar New Year, the crowds swell beyond measure, with eager visitors impatient to get inside and make their offering as soon as possible in the hope     7     they will have good luck for the coming year.

Once they enter Wong Tai Sin, visitors are ushered (引领) through the complex at a constant pace just     8     (keep) the vast throngs of worshippers (香客) moving.

Seeing the crowds enbrace this Spring Festival tradition at Wong Tai Sin is a remarkable experience and shows just how differently one holiday can be celebrated. It is this variety that keeps my life in China     9     (fill) with countless new experiences and adventures. I enjoy myself so much as to forget to leave     10     I go.

Dunhuang is famous for its ancient Mogao Caves,     1     treasure house of Buddhist art and texts. Over the past 30 years, the concept of Digital Dunhuang     2     (emerge).

Digital Dunhuang involves the use of modern technology such as 3D scanning and virtual reality (VR) to create digital copies of the caves and their     3     (price) contents. By doing so, it breaks     4     geographical barriers and allows people from anywhere to experience the beauty of these artworks without physically being there.

One notable project within Digital Dunhuang is the creation of a virtual library where     5     (scan) Buddhist texts are stored and can be accessed online. This not only aids in the     6     (preserve) of the delicate documents but also facilitates research and education globally.

Furthermore, the VR headset offers such an authentic scene of the cave     7     users can have a close-up view of the wall paintings and sculptures. This technology even permits a behind-the-scenes look at restoration efforts,     8     (develop) an understanding of the challenges faced in protecting these ancient wonders.

In essence, Digital Dunhuang is a proof of     9     cutting-edge technology can serve as a powerful tool for cultural conservation. It provides a bridge between ancient history and the modern world, ensuring that the legacy of Dunhuang remains alive and accessible for generations     10     (come).

Ancient China covered a vast and ever-changing geopolitical landscape,     1     the art it produced over three thousand years is, unsurprisingly, just as varied. Still,     2     continuous technical developments, and the influence of foreign ideas, there are certain qualities inbuilt in Chinese art.

Among these essential qualities, a love of nature, a belief in morality, and an interest in viewing the subject from various respects     3     (include). An important difference between China and many other ancient cultures is     4     many Chinese artists were not professionals but amateurs who were also scholars. Art, throughout most of China’s history, was meant to express the artist’s good character and not merely be an     5     (interpret) of his practical artistic skills.     6     (natural), there were professional artists too, employed by wealthy officials     7     (decorate) the walls and insides of their fine buildings. Of course, there were, too, thousands of workmen     8     (make) precious materials into objects of art for the few who could afford them.

Chinese art remained highly influential throughout     9     history of the country, inspiring greatly that of its neighbours in East Asia. And the worldwide appreciation of its achievements, especially in carving, painting, and building     10     (continue) to this day.