Wang Hongmei, a master in the Forbidden City, specializes in repairing damaged paintings. "I （find） conservation of paintings extremely challenging at beginning when I often had to stand for hours all day long due to the nature of the work." Wang recalled. "Commitment and time "（gradual） calmed down my heart. "
It takes an experienced conservationist like Wang a whole year （repair） just three to four paintings. Sometimes the work could take even （long）. A scenic painting over 170 square meters in size, which （create） by Emperor Qianlong for his retirement, was worn. Wang and her workmates spent five years （fix） the painting to its previous brilliance.
"These treasures are not simply individual items （单件物品）, heritages of the craft（手工艺）and spirit passed on by the artists, collectors and conservationists of the past," Qu Feng, one of Wang's colleagues, said. "Strengthened conservation efforts symbolize increasing national soft power and （proud）. If we can protect our cultural heritage to the best of our abilities, our nation will come to believe in itself more firmly. "
Thanks the efforts by the masters in the Forbidden City, the public now can have a further understanding of cultural heritage protection.
