"Rescuing local opera classics performed by older generation artists from extinction is a pressing issue for us," Liu said. "Financial and technological support is urgently needed to record local opera masterpieces."

Liu also calls for government subsidies to help adapt local operas into TV programs and films.

Ding Jun Shan (The Battle of Mount Dingjun), the very first Chinese movie produced in 1905, was an adaptation of a Peking Opera masterpiece with the same title and the same lead singer Tan Xinpei.

TV and movie adaptations of local operas (Xiqu Dianying, or Xiqu Pian in Chinese) were extremely popular in the first half of the 20th century but have long been absent on TV and movie screens, Liu noted.

"Local opera repertoires provide countless materials and inspiration for producers of TV dramas and movies. I hope Chinese viewers can watch newly adapted local operas on the silver screen and even the big screen in the future," said Liu.

Besides rescuing the classical operas, Liu believes it is equally important to create new works addressing contemporary social issues, and promote them through social media platforms, catering to the taste of newer generations of viewers.