The 17th China Folk Literature and Art Mountain Flower Awards, the topmost prize within the Chinese folk literature and art circles, has been officially unveiled. In this awards ceremony, only eight art works were awarded the “Excellent Folk Arts and Crafts Award” across the country.

Among all the submitted works, Aquatic World—a jade carving series by Tang Shuai, a representative inheritor of Xiuyan jade carving (an intangible cultural heritage item) and a Chinese jade carving master—successfully claimed this prestigious accolade.

Crafted from Xiuyan ice-like jade, this series of six masterpieces took three and a half years of meticulous refinement to complete. Drawing on the vivid artistic conception of the Dunhuang Flying Apsaras, it pushes the linear art of traditional Chinese jade carving to new heights. The series is not just the culmination of Tang’s 30-year efforts in jade carving, but also sets a compelling example for the innovative development of China’s jade carving industry.