Great efforts should be made to train young people as successors to intangible cultural heritage, said Hou Lu, a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

 "We should avoid the phenomenon which focuses on applications only for intangible cultural heritage projects but neglects to train young successors," said Hou, also vice chairman of the Anhui Dramatists Association.

China had 358 types of drama in the 1950s, but only 257 were left by 2005, with two disappearing every year, she said.

It has nominated 191 dramas for intangible cultural heritage status since 2005 when it issued the first list of its kind.

"But it has often been the case with many local governments which love to apply for State-level intangible cultural heritage projects but have no plans on how to perpetuate them," Hou said.

"The result is that many types of dramas in the list are running their own course," she added. Funds from the State, which should be spent on these projects, have been used for other purposes, she added.

Hou suggested that the auditing authorities should investigate the way funds are spent. Only this way, can the funds be spent on appropriate projects.

"Meanwhile, measures should be taken to encourage young people to learn drama," Hou said. She added that local cultural houses should set up heritage centers to cultivate young people's interest in art and let them learn from older artists.

"Our aim is to carry forward the Chinese culture by handing down the intangible cultural heritage arts to young people," Hou said.