However, the statistics from the Beijing Arts and Crafts Association showed that there are only 11 categories surviving, with 43 lost or on the verge of extinction.

China's arts and crafts industry was booming in the 1950s and 60s. "At that time, there were 3,000 workers in the Beijing Jade Factory," said Li Bosheng, 64, a master craftsman, who started his jade-carving career 45 years ago. "The jade wares produced in a month would fill a big house, but there still weren't enough to satisfy demand."

Wen Qiangang, 62, a master of lacquer carving, said that the Beijing Lacquer Carving Factory was one of the most sought after places of employment in the industry during the 1970s because of the high prices the products commanded and the bonuses paid to employees.

Heyday and decline

Not only lacquer carving but also all other traditional arts and crafts did very well in Beijing in the 1970s.

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