A craftsman and kite-maker makes kites at his studio in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province. [Photo/zjol.com.cn]

Yang Jinlong, a deputy to the 13th National People's Congress from Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang province, and a teacher at the Hangzhou Technician Institute, has called for designating Sept 26 as National Craftsman Day.

According to Yang, skilled workers are increasingly important to China's modern development, especially in emerging industries such as intelligent manufacturing, digital economy, high-end equipment, and modern services. He thus deemed it necessary to establish a National Craftsman Day. Hangzhou already designated Sept 26 as a day for honoring local craftsmen last year, in an effort to increase talent in China and further boost the country's economic development.

Yang regarded Hangzhou's move as a recognition of craftsmanship as well as an incentive for people to contribute to urban development.

"Craftsmanship should be honored and promoted. We should hold themed activities and select a group of skilled workers and practitioners of traditional techniques to be honored as national craftsmen every year," Yang said.

He suggested the central, provincial, municipal, and county-level governments work together to develop a craftsman cultivation mechanism and offer professional training to more people.