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?