The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) Wednesday opened the Center for the Studies of Taoist Culture.

The center will focus on advancing academic research on Taoist studies, promulgating knowledge of Taoist culture to the general public, developing Taoist education in local secondary schools and enhancing cultural and academic exchanges among Taoist organizations in Hong Kong and on the mainland, Lai Chi Tim, Professor of the Department of Cultural and Religious Studies and director of the new center said at the inauguration ceremony.

Qi Xiaofei, Vice-Director of the State Administration for Religious Affairs of the People's Republic of China, Master Ren Farong, President of Chinese Taoist Association together with over a hundred Taoist Masters and followers, government officials, scholars and guests from China's mainland, Hong Kong and Macao attended the inauguration ceremony.

The Chinese University of Hong Kong is committed to the promotion of Chinese culture. The Department of Cultural and Religious Studies has launched various research projects and offered a number of courses on Taoist culture at doctoral and master's levels some years ago.

(Xinhua News Agency January 5, 2006)