President Xi Jinping studied the sinicization of Buddhism and the integrated development of culture and tourism on Monday during his inspection tour in Luoyang City, central China's Henan Province.
At the ancient White Horse Temple, first built in the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220), Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, learned in detail about the sinicization of Buddhism and the temple's efforts to protect cultural relics.
The White Horse Temple witnessed how Buddhism was introduced to China and has continuously developed in its assimilation with the Chinese culture and society, Xi said.
History has proven that it is entirely correct to adhere to the direction of sinicizing religions in China, Xi said, urging efforts to actively guide religions to be fused into fine traditional Chinese culture and get adapted to China's socialist society.
Xi also came to the Longmen Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage site with a history of over 1,500 years.
He observed the overall layout and outlook of the grottoes, as well as representative niches and statues, and had a cordial exchange with the on-site cultural relic workers, urging efforts to protect, pass on and disseminate these treasures of Chinese culture.
The president also spoke with tourists at the Longmen Grottoes, and encouraged children to visit cultural sites more often to explore Chinese culture and build cultural confidence from a young age.
Pointing out the broad prospects of integrated development of culture and tourism, Xi called for efforts to promote high-quality development of the cultural tourism industry, so that the sector can truly support the local economy, improve people's livelihood, and bring happiness to people.
Xi studies sinicization of Buddhism, cultural tourism in Henan
Xi studies sinicization of Buddhism, cultural tourism in Henan
