CPPCC National Committee vice-chairperson meets HK chief executive

Liu Yandong, visiting vice-chairperson of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), met in Hong Kong Tuesday with Hong Kong Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa.

Liu Yandong came to Hong Kong Tuesday afternoon to attend the ceremony for welcoming Buddha's sarira (finger-bone relic) to be hosted by the Hong Kong Buddhism circle and other circles Wednesday.

Liu said the Buddha's sarira from Xi'an's Famen Buddhist Templeis one of the most sacred objects in the Buddhist world and a national treasure. The viewing and veneration of the Buddha's sarira in Hong Kong is not only a momentous event for the Buddhismcircle, but also a happy event for Hong Kong.

She said she expected a more prosperous Hong Kong with stability and wished Hong Kong a better future.

Since the Chinese mainland implemented the opening up policy 25years ago, Liu said, the Chinese mainland has been witnessing political stability and economic prosperity.

Closer relations between the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong will benefit both the development and prosperity of Hong Kong and the modernization of the Chinese mainland, she added.

Tung Chee Hwa, on behalf of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government, extended a warm welcome to Liu.

Tung said the display of Buddha's sarira and other 20 pieces of the country's top class cultural relics would satisfy the wish of the Hong Kong Buddhism circle and other Hong Kong people, indicating the central government's care and support to the development of Hong Kong's cultural and religious undertakings.

During her visit to Hong Kong, Liu will meet with representative from various walks of life in Hong Kong.

Source: Xinhua