Matryoshka dolls multiply in forests of northeastern China - with a little help

HARBIN - Spring Festival was coming, and Ren Jiqing was busy making matryoshka dolls in his workshop. Those are the dolls with a series of smaller figures, each nested inside its predecessor.

"Matryoshka dolls are quite popular during the holidays, and demand from retailers is great," Ren said. "Some even reserved dolls for the May Day holiday this year."

Ren, 57, owns a factory that makes the nesting dolls in Yimianpo township in Heilongjiang province, and has been engaged in the business for almost 20 years.