Famous crosstalk comedian Jiang Kun speaks to a China.org.cn reporter on March 10, 2017 during the annual session of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in Beijing. [Photo/China.org.cn]

Famous crosstalk comedian Jiang Kun, who is also a national political advisor, on Friday spelt out his ideas for launching a major for students to learn folk arts in higher education institutes.

Jiang has been worrying about Chinese folk arts education for years since there's been an increasing lack of folk arts talent. He is attending the annual session of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in Beijing.

"I have a proposal this year, asking several universities and colleges with certain qualifications and solid foundations, such as National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts, Liaoning University and Sichuan Normal University, to host a special major of folk arts," he said.

He pointed out, in the past, folk arts were passed down through the private relationship between masters and apprentices in oral and practical teaching; at the same time, folk arts were born on the streets and in rural areas. However, "times have changed. More and more folk arts are promoted through TV, radio as well the as internet -- some of them now are just in the process," he said.

He believed updated folk arts education in universities would help train high-quality folk artists; at the same time, the universities would boost academic research on folk arts.