China's younger generations should take pride in their traditional cultural heritage and attach more importance to spiritual pursuit, said Timothy Fok Tsun-Ting, member of the Hong Kong Legislative Council, president of the Hong Kong Olympic Committee and also a CPPCC National Committee member, during an interview with China.org.cn after the third plenary meeting of the first session of the 12th National People's Congress on March 10, 2013.

After years of rapid economic development, the Chinese youth no longer need to worry about food and clothing, however, much more effort is needed to promote ideological progress, Fok said. The younger generations should be encouraged to innovate and pursue lofty ideals, he stated. Currently, young people in Hong Kong are actively taking part in various club activities to cultivate hobbies, exchange ideas and build up team spirit, he illustrated with an example.

"We Chinese people possess excellent traditional values and we should be confident in our cultural heritage," Fok said. "With regards to learning from foreign advanced experience, we should not go to extremes. Both being xenophobic and total acceptance are unwise." It is advisable to get an equal position and select the essence, according to him.

"Twenty years ago, many historical buildings were pulled down in Hong Kong as to build edifices and it's a pity that nowadays we can just see them in photos," he pointed out in regards to the significance of protecting historical sites. "The conditions are similar in Beijing," he said. "Once gone, it's gone forever."

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