BEIJING, July 18 -- After a year's preparation, China's biggest sculpture exhibition opens in the eastern coastal city Xiamen.

    After its inaugural show, the exhibition will tour northeastern Changchun and northwestern Xi'an. The organizing committee received over 11-hundred pieces from the Chinese mainland, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao.

    Judges selected nearly 170 pieces for display.

    Participants vary in age and background.

    Their manner of expression also differs -- so do the art materials.

    The exhibits are competing for awards in five categories. There are awards for lifetime achievement, a grand award and awards for young sculptors.

    (Source: CCTV.com)