Taoist forum looks at environment

HENGSHAN, Hunan - An international Taoism forum opened on Sunday, attracting 500 scholars from 21 countries and regions to Hengshan Mountain, a sacred Taoist site in Central China's Hunan province.

Liu Yunshan, head of the Publicity Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), announced the opening of the forum.

Du Qinglin, head of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee, addressed the opening ceremony. He said the Taoist emphasis on harmonious co-existence between people and nature had growing relevance in the contemporary world.