Group 1 - The third National Skills Competition will be held from September 19 to 23 in Zhengzhou, Henan, featuring 106 competition projects with 3,420 contestants and 3,275 judges from across the country [1] - The Beijing delegation includes 105 contestants competing in 96 projects such as hairdressing, graphic design, and traditional Chinese pastry [1] - The event showcases both advanced technology and traditional craftsmanship, including the revival of a 20-year-lost animation production technique and demonstrations of robotics and traditional glass-making skills [1][4][6] Group 2 - The hairdressing competition consists of seven modules over three days, testing various skills such as cutting, coloring, and styling, aligning with international standards [2] - Young contestants, particularly those born after 2000, make up over 60% of the participants, indicating a trend of increasing youth involvement in skilled trades [3] - The competition features innovative technologies like a hydrogen-powered robot dog capable of navigating complex terrains and an AI examination system that can recognize over 40 dialects with 99% accuracy [4][5] Group 3 - The event includes a showcase of 40 selected traditional skills and crafts, highlighting the importance of preserving cultural heritage [6] - The revival of the cel animation technique, once a dominant method in animation production, is being led by a team from Beijing, emphasizing the educational value and craftsmanship involved [7][8]

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the rich history and innovative evolution of glazed pottery (liuli) in Shanxi, China, emphasizing its cultural significance and the efforts to preserve and modernize this traditional craft [1][5][9]. Group 1: Historical Significance - Liuli has been a decorative material used in ancient palaces and pagodas, with Shanxi being the main production area in China [1]. - The technique of liuli production has a long history, being recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2008 [1]. - The production of liuli in Shanxi began during the Northern Wei dynasty and reached its peak during the Ming and Qing dynasties [5]. Group 2: Technical Aspects - The liuli-making process involves multiple stages, including material preparation, shaping, bisque firing, glazing, and final firing, resulting in vibrant colors [5]. - Common glaze colors include yellow, green, blue, purple, black, and white, with the production method requiring a secondary firing process [5]. Group 3: Innovation and Preservation - The technique has been passed down through generations, although the production of peacock blue glaze was lost over time [7]. - In the 1980s, a craftsman named Ge Yuansheng began efforts to restore the peacock blue glaze, successfully achieving this in 2007 after 26 years of experimentation [7][9]. - The application of liuli has expanded beyond traditional architecture to include cultural and creative products, integrating modern design to attract younger generations [9][11].