At this year's Two Sessions, cultural revival has become a hot topic.

A deputy to the National People's Congress (NPC) submitted a motion about the establishment of a "Hanfu Day" in China, while a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) put forward a proposal on restoring the fist-and-palm salute.

Hanfu, or Han clothing, is the traditional clothing for the Han Chinese ethnic group. And its styles differ according to various Chinese dynasties.

The fist-and-palm salute is a traditional Chinese greeting used when meeting peers.

CGTN spoke with CPPCC member Xu Li, secretary of the Leading Party Group and executive vice chairman of the China Artists Association, about his thoughts on cultural revival in China.

"To demonstrate the spirit and image of China and its people, the first thing to do is to pass them down and then to employ innovation," Xu told CGTN via an online interview.

He called on relative experts to work together to create a new kind of clothing that can demonstrate the image of China in this new era.

"It should suit the bodily form and aesthetic of Chinese people," Xu said. "I think that's more meaningful."

After the COVID-19 outbreak in China last year, some people have been using the fist-and-palm salute to avoid contacts.

Xu believes the fist-and-palm salute can coexist with other greetings such as handshakes and hugs.

"But it doesn't mean we have to do it in every scenario," he added.

"For example, do we have to do the fist-and-palm salute when greeting foreigners? It's not appropriate because the most common international form of greeting is still the handshake."

Xu said the education about traditional culture is more than just Hanfu and the fist-and-palm salute.

"Other beautiful and representative aspects of Chinese culture should all be inherited, developed and refreshed, and not just focus on one salute or clothing," Xu added.