Special report: 2008 Olympic Games　　

    BEIJING, July 16 -- Olympic fever has spread to Gaomi city, the renowned birthplace of Shandong folk handicrafts. Local artists from this area of eastern China are sending best wishes to the Beijing Olympic Games through their latest works.

    Clay sculptor Li Xiuzhen has just finished 50 sets of clay figurines. Her subjects are the Olympic mascots, the five Fuwa. With her innovative designs and ingenious carving, those mascots are given some pure and even vital spirit.

    And the works depicting the Fuwa competing in sports, bring together the ideals of artistry and sports.

    The middle aged woman with simple and earnest face is Qi Xiuhua. She's a paper cutting artist who was born in Gaomi. She won her reputation at national and international cultural events for her exceptional technique.

    Qi started planing her Olympic greetings at the end of last year. Besides the five mascots, she also incorporated the 28 events of the Beijing Olympics into her creations.

    (Source: cctv.com)