1.   As one Western diplomat sees it, Mr Qiao has spent the bulk of his career honing the art of self-effacement and being inscrutable.

2.   Citigroup, for example, has already honed the art of cross-selling to a fine art.

3.   He acquired his restaurant skills methodically and slowly in France, migrated to the United States and continually honed his art, modernizing it only after considerable contemplation.

4.   Like all great troubadours, Simon excels at honing his art, continually offering fresh twists on timeless topics.

5.   Still eight months away from election day, Clinton and his spin experts honed the art of changing the subject to deflect allegations of misbehavior.

6.   Presenting a unique fusion of classicalballet and modern dance, the ensemble has honed the art of dance to rendereffortlessly intricate and challenging routines.