Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), called on representatives attending a conference of Buddhists from China, the Republic of Korea (ROK) and Japan to make their contribution to a world of harmony.(Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, Oct. 26 (Xinhua) -- Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), called on representatives attending a conference of Buddhists from China, the Republic of Korea (ROK) and Japan to make their contribution to a world of harmony.

    "The Buddhist circles can play a unique and active role in promoting the cause of world peace ... I hope you will show at the world Buddhist arena the achievements of the tripartite Buddhist conference and the look of solidarity and harmony of the Buddhists of China, ROK and Japan, and make a contribution to the building of a harmonious world," said Jia when meeting the Buddhists attending the conference.

    Jia called on the Buddhists to actively attend the second World Buddhist Forum, to be held in Wuxi, a city in eastern Jiangsu Province, and Hong Kong in November, 2008, sponsored by the Buddhist Association of china and the Religious Culture Communication Association.

    China held the first-ever World Buddhist Forum in April last year in the eastern island city of Zhoushan, which ended with a declaration calling for world peace. Over 1,000 Buddhism believers and scholars from 37 countries and regions attended the forum with the theme of "A harmonious world begins in the mind."

    On behalf of the Chinese government, Jia extended his congratulations to the opening of the 10th tripartite Buddhist conference.

    He said China, ROK and Japan are close neighbors sharing similar cultures and that their belief in Buddhism can be traced to the same origin.

    He added the close exchanges between the Buddhist circles of the three countries have helped deepen friendship among them.

    Jia said China shall adhere to the road of peaceful development and is ready to make its own contribution to world peace and development.