Powerful traditions of stone sculpting live on

For Chen Lizhong, an inheritor of Shoushan stone carving, sculptors record an era with their chisels - just like writers with their pens.

Inheritors are especially appointed, leading artists, officially conferred with the responsibility of carrying forward the country's intangible cultural heritage.

The 49-year-old has hewn and shaped his stones for more than 30 years. His only materials come from Shoushan Mountain in his hometown, Fuzhou, in eastern Fujian province.