Chinese kung fu, also     1     (refer) to as martial arts, has developed over a long historical period in China. Nowadays, it     2     (regard）as a traditional sport gaining more and more     3     (popular) and even stands as a representative for Chinese culture. The styles, including Shaolin, t’ai chi and Qigong, have many followers worldwide. This traditional heritage has much influence     4     the locals’ lifestyle.

Kung fu advocates virtue and peace, not aggression or violence,     5     has been the common value held by martial artists from generation to generation. Though kung fu keeps its     6     (origin) function of self-defense, its value in body-building and fitness is also     7     (high) appreciated.

In recent years, learning Chinese martial arts has been more and more popular among people of different ages and nationalities. Therefore, many kung fu training center s or clubs     8     (establish) recently. A strong will and persistence (坚持) is     9     must to learn Chinese kung fu, One should follow a master or join a training school to learn systematically. The basic skills of legs, waist and shoulders need     10     (train) regularly.

Tai chi is a Chinese martial art often practised with the purpose of     1     (improve) health. The practice forms of tai chi are well known for relaxing, circular movements that work in harmony with breath regulation (调节). It can not only keep your mind calm     2     also make your body strong. As you focus on your breathing and movements, your mind can clear itself of its worries,     3     does your whole body good,

    4     (influence) by Taoist and Confucian thoughts, and the ideas of traditional Chinese medicine, the practice has developed into several styles,     5     (usual) named after a master, such as Chen-style and Yang-style.

Chen Bin, one of the     6     (master) of the Chen-style tai chi, has been practising the martial art since he     7     (be) six years old. More than two decades of practice has made him a master. “One’s understanding of tai chi can develop when the practice continues. As one’s experience grows, it becomes much     8     (easy) to understand its cultural meaning,” Chen Bing explains.

Tai chi has taught Chen Bing     9     (stay) calm during life’s ups and downs, and to learn about the world with     10     open mind. Moreover, the martial art encourages using gentleness to get over toughness, and making use of weakness to win strength through one’s self-awareness, which shows the wisdom of Taoism.

The 37th International Kite Festival in Berck-sur-Mer opened and China made a wonderful    1    (appear) as the first-ever guest country of honor at the event.

Chinese cultural activities    2    (take)place at the festival, including     3    huge dragon-headed kite-flying performance, workshops for kite-making techniques as well as experiential activities from lion dances to martialarts (武术).

Liu Hongge, director of the China Cultural Center in Paris, delivered speeches. Liu said the kite is a key image,    4    (represent) the friendship between China and France. In 1958, the two countries produced a film     5    (title) Fengzheng (The Kite), the first color children’s film made by the People’s Republic of China,    6    the first coproduced with another country. It tells of the adventures and friendship between Chinese and French children created by a kite.

“As the organizer, the China Cultural Center in Paris continues to make the best of kites, using them    7    a medium to tell stories about kite culture in China and France, promote mutual(相互的) understanding and contribute to the success of the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism,” said Liu    8    (enthusiastic).

The International Kite Festival in Berck-sur-Meris the largest and most    9    (influence) kite-themed event in France,    10    visitors can not only observe a wide variety of kites, but they also have the chance to take part in art performances.

Putian wood carving, one of the four well-known     1     (category) of the art of Chinese wood carving, originated in the Tang and Song Dynasties.     2     (serve) as a national intangible cultural heritage (非物质文化遗产) item in China, it is a traditional folk carving technique of southeast China’s Fujian Province.

Zheng Chunhui, Lin Jianjun and Chen Yushu are three     3     (exception) representatives of wood carving masters. Zheng is a provincial-level inheritor (继承人) of the wood carving art,     4     not only excels in traditional wood carving technique,     5     expresses his love for his family and nation through his works. To promote the art, Zheng opened a unique wood carving gallery, which is the     6     (one) in Putian run by an individual and free to the public. The delicately made wood carving works by Lin     7     (shine) at a BRICS summit (峰会) several years ago, and meanwhile, the Chinese-style antique furniture pieces that are made by Chen     8     (show) at many international exhibitions over the past few years.

Putian city is home     9     over 2,600 wood carving companies, and the wood carving works     10     (create) there were sold to more than 20 countries and regions around the world last year.

The Yellow River Fairs

The Yellow River, China’s second longest river, is considered     1     birthplace of Chinese civilization. For thousands of years, the people living along its banks have     2    (continuous) developed their rich and lively cultures that have lasted to this day.

To make people familiarize themselves     3    its rich culture and plentiful products, Shandong province has organized fairs     4     (name) after the river throughout the year, with some events held in communities to involve more people. At the fairs, all are available from handicrafts, agricultural products, local delicious foods to performances.

At one fair in a community in Jinan, the capital city of Shandong, in late October, more than ten     5     (type) of handicrafts were on show. The fair builds a bridge between intangible cultural heritage (非物质文化遗产) producers     6     consumers. Using items that represent     7     (tradition) culture is a good way to pass on culture.

At the fair, 60-something Yu Shaoqing,     8     was selling animal-shaped textile (纺织品) products, attracted a lot of buyers. Many young people     9     (show) an interest in his products and bought them to decorate their rooms and cars. Yu said the fair had provided them with an opportunity     10     (improve) their products and exchange ideas. Folk crafts need new ideas to make them popular with modern consumers.