Three Shanxi handicrafts were honored by UNESCO in Kuwait on Nov 16, receiving "global top handicraft badge".

Sixteen pieces of work from China were awarded the highest honor in the field of crafts, including three from Shanxi province. They were two Jiangzhou clay ink stones made by Lin Yongmao and Lin Tao in Xinjiang county, and one Chinese paper cutting by Shanxi artist Li Binjie.

The "badge" project settled in Southeast Asia in 2001 and aims to inherit and develop traditional art and culture by encouraging local artists to create more novel works of art, with inspiration from traditional craftsmanship, styles and designs.

There were 246 sets of handiwork from six regions in Southeast Asia taking part in the second round of appraisals during the review meeting organized by the Asia-Pacific branch of World Crafts Council. All the recognized crafts will be on display for a month in Kuwait National Museum and then be collected by the museum.

A handmade ink stone in the shape of a swan by Lin Yongmao and Lin Tao in Xinjiang county, Shanxi province, is recognized as one of the top global handicrafts by UNESCO on Nov 16. The handicraft is a typical piece of Jiangzhou ink stone made with mud from Fenhe River. [Photo/sxrb.com]

A Chinese paper cutting by artist Li Binjie, which displays four Chinese characters representing longevity, wealth,fortune and happiness, is awarded a "global top handicraft badge" on Nov 16. [Photo/sxrb.com]