Renowned Chinese composer Zhao Jiping said that although Chinese folk music had yet to make it on the world stage, he is optimistic about the future of the art.

Zhao, who is famous for writing the scores for several blockbuster movies including Red Sorghum, Raise the Red Lantern and Confucius, said on March 10, "Young musicians with solid skills and knowledge are growing up. They have a great future and I'm looking forward to hearing their work."

Zhao was speaking on the sidelines of the country's parliamentary session where he is a deputy from Shaanxi Province. He told China.org.cn that he had raised several issues on the development of the national music industry at the meeting.

He said young people should pay attention to domestic folk music because it is a unique and durable part of Chinese culture. "Youngsters around the age of 17 or 18 may not treat Chinese folk music seriously. But when they get older, their attitude will change as they find out a nation that loses its culture loses its hope," said Zhao.

Zhao has a busy concert schedule. He played Taipei and Shanghai last year and will perform in Singapore in the near future. "Holding solo concerts and writing film and TV scores are ways for me to popularize folk music," Zhao said.