82岁梅葆玖在两会

Mei Baojiu, son of Peking Opera master Mei Lanfang, is a CPPCC veteran, having attended five sessions so far. Among his suggestions this time are calligraphy classes for elementary-school kids.

82-year-old Mei is keen to strengthen education in traditional culture among kids.

82-year-old Mei Baojiu at CPPCC

"My proposal this year is on teaching students traditional culture. I suggest reviving calligraphy on the curriculum so that elementary school students get to practise it in class," Mei said.

As a Peking Opera performer himself, Mei has done his bit to pass on traditional culture to youngsters. Even at his advanced years, he has still managed to appear on TV shows to teach the artform to young people.

Mei has also praised the Chinese Poetry Conference, a recent televised contest among young people, which aired on CCTV.

"I think young people should read more ancient classics like those written by Confucius, Mencius, and poems from the Tang and Song dynasties. When they feel their beauty, they will know their value," Mei said.

Mei also noted opera classics are imbued with traditional values such as filial piety and family loyalty - qualities he sees as important in the education of the young.