The general conference of the World Fellowship of Buddhists meets on Thursday, in the northwestern Chinese city of Baoji. It's the first time China has hosted the conference, an event that draws hundreds of followers from around the world. The Panchen Lama from Tibet will be there, along with other Chinese Buddhist leaders. Our reporter Han Bin has been speaking to the Vice President of the Chinese Buddhist Association and asked him what the event means for China.

Preparations are in full swing to welcome Buddhists from China and beyond. Famen Temple is the venue for the opening ceremony. It's a chance for China to show some of its distinctive traditional Buddhist culture.

"The hosting of the World Buddhist event reflects the fast growth of Buddhism, and the increasing numbers of Buddhists in China. China's Buddhism has been in a period of rapid development ever since the country's reform and opening up policy. Chinese society has a good basis for promoting the Buddhist beliefs," Master Xuecheng, vice president of Chinese Buddhist Association, said.

Master Xuecheng says the conference will help the world gain a better understanding of Chinese Buddhism.

It also indicates the global influence of Chinese Buddhism. The country now has one of the world's biggest numbers of believers.

He says the conference will help these believers strengthen ties with the World Fellowship of Buddhists, and help make the world a better place.

"Buddhists in different countries believe in the same Buddha. So, they should expand their cooperation and integration, so as to promote mutual understanding. They should also improve interactions and exchanges, and enable Buddhists to create a more harmonious and peaceful world," Master Xuecheng said.

The 1,700 year-old Famen Temple is known as the home to a major Buddhist treasure. It's believed to be the finger bone of the Buddha himself, Sakyamuni. Today, the ancient temple will witness a historic moment, as Chinese Buddhism goes further to the outside world.

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