A special symposium was held Tuesday in Beijing to celebrate the successful compilation and publishing of a brand new Taoist Scripture which has taken over 100 Taoist scholars, experts and some compiling personnel seven years to complete.

Consisting of 49 volumes and some 60 million Chinese characters, the Scripture covers the main Taoist classics and other historical documents, which are supplemented with more content, re-punctuated and reclassified in line with modern methods.

This is the first time China has compiled Taoist works on such a large since the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), so Taoist scholars and followers view it as a great event for both Chinese culture and Taoism, which boasts a 1,800-plus-year history in China.

The compilation was also listed as part of the nation's major books publishing plan during the tenth five-year period from 1996 to 2000.

"Taoism is a native Chinese belief which enjoys unique advantages in adapting to China's socialism. The believers should spare no efforts to promote its progressive role in building a well-off society in China," said Liu Yandong, vice-chairwoman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and head of the United Front Work Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee when addressing the symposium.

The great rejuvenation of China needs efforts from all Chinese descendants including Taoism followers, she said.

Chairman of the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association Fu Tieshan and over 150 officials, scholars and Taoists attended the symposium, which is jointly sponsored by the Taoist Association of China, the world religion center of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and the Huaxia Publishing House.

(Xinhua News Agency October 29, 2003)