Expert views on traditional village protection

Traditional villages, which carry both Chinese traditional culture and deep nostalgia, are disappearing in China at a marked rate in recent years. The fast economic growth of the country has brought both vitality and risk to its traditional culture, especially in the historical villages. Voices for the protection of these ancient villages grow louder over the years and relevant issues have been raised again at the ongoing annual two sessions. Let's hear what some of the experts and officials had to say on the issue.

Feng Jicai, famed writer, heritage campaigner and CPPCC member stressed that the current situation is very serious.

Feng Jicai, famed writer, heritage campaigner and CPPCC member[Photo/CCTV]

"The problem is much more serious than we imagined. We've lost more than 900,000 traditional villages over the decade. There is no other country that is losing its villages at such a pace."He said that the main problem is a lack of reasonable management. It is problematic that the real power of protecting the village now lies with the local government, scholars and development traders, instead of the local people.He strongly suggested that local governments be assessed on cultural heritage protection in their annual assessments and that a protection system of traditional villages be set in legislation. He asked, if the farmers and local villagers move away, taking their traditions with them, then what value is there left in the village?