Chinese Vice Premier Congratulates Tripartite Buddhist MeetingChinese Vice Premier Qian Qichen extended his congratulations Friday to a conference for Buddhists from China, the Republic of Korea (ROK) and Japan, which will open tomorrow.Qian was speaking in a meeting with representatives from ROK, Japan, the Chinese mainland, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao, who will attend the tripartite Buddhist meeting. This is the first time Buddhists from Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao have sent representatives to the tripartite Buddhist meeting. During the meeting, Qian said that China, ROK and Japan are neighbors and have had traditional cultural exchanges in which Buddhism has played a vital role. Chinese citizens enjoy complete religious freedom, and China encourages religious exchange between China and other parts of the world, the vice premier said. Qian urged Buddhists from home, ROK and Japan to continue their efforts in fighting terrorism, religious extremism and separatism. It is learned that these Buddhists will hold a grand assembly prayer for world peace tomorrow in the Lingguang Monastery in the western hilly suburb of Beijing, and a symposium will be held Saturday afternoon. |
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