The Chinese government will continue to support in-depth and friendly communications between Chinese and overseas Daoist communities to make contributions to promoting enduring world peace and shared prosperity, the nation's top political adviser said.
Taoism, also spelled as Daoism, is deeply rooted in China and upholds the values of peace and inclusiveness, said Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.
He made the remarks in a letter congratulating the opening of the 5th International Daoist Forum held on Maoshan Mountain, East China's Jiangsu province, and the founding of the World Federation of Daoism on Sunday.
The forum and the new federation will serve as key platforms for people to further discover the beliefs of Taoism, which can offer solutions and provide guidance to global issues that have troubled people today, benefiting international communities, Wang said.
He added that the Chinese government will continue to support international exchanges between Taoist communities on the Chinese mainland and those in other regions, including Hong Kong, Macao and abroad, to further contribute to promoting world peace.
The federation's establishment was initiated by the Taoist Association of China in response to appeals from Taoists in various countries. It is an international nonprofit social organization voluntarily formed by passionate believers from all over the world.
The federation currently consists of 52 founding members from 20 countries and regions.