China report 2004
In partnership with WWF China, the China Buddhist Association, the provincial government of Gansu, the provincial government of Shaanxi, and the China Daoist Association, ARC has launched a major scheme to protect the bio-diversity and forests of the Qinling Mountains in central China. This builds upon a Chinese national government commitment to protect this area and through ARC’s involvement the faiths, their sacred sites and their moral and spiritual influence have been brought into the equation. Included in this work is the first spiritual eco-tourism programme in China based on the sacred mountain of Taibaishan. We have also assisted the development of a Buddhism and Ecology handbook in Chinese for the province of Yunnan in association with WWF China. This is due for publication in spring 2005.
Traditional Chinese medicine alliance with major drug companies
We have had a breakthrough on traditional Chinese medicine in that a possible alliance with Welcome Foundation, GlaxoSmithKline and Ciba philanthropies will open the possibility of assisting the Daoists in developing appropriate medicines based upon TCM but replacing all use of endangered species.
Joining the Asian Buddhist Network
As a development of the ARC’s Asian Buddhist Network meetings in China, the China Buddhist Association and the National Government have both agreed to be full participants in the inaugural meeting.
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