CCTV9英语新闻：Peking-Opera legend was both an advocate and artist

Mei Baojiu was not just a great artist; he was also an advocate. A veteran of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference - which he attended five times - he advanced proposals to help youngsters absorb traditional Chinese culture.

Peking-Opera legend was both an advocate and artist

At the most recent session in 2016, he argued calligraphy should be on the curriculum for elementary-school kids. 

The late maestro was keen to strengthen education in traditional culture among kids. 

“It's about how youngsters can absorb our traditional culture. Every year, it's the focus of my proposals at the CPPCC. The reason is that enlightenment received in childhood plays a key role in one's life," he said.

"And China's core values - such as humanity, justice, etiquette, and wisdom - are embodied in traditional opera".

Mei practised what he preached, and even in his advanced years, appeared on TV shows to teach the artform to young people.

The late artist also called for reviving calligraphy on the curriculum, so that elementary-school students get to practise it in class.

And he believed that young people should read more ancient classics like those written by Confucius, Mencius, and poems from the Tang and Song dynasties.

Mei's funeral will be held on May the 3rd at Beijing's Babaoshan funeral center in the west of the city.