BANGKOK, April 18 -- The 27th General Conference of the World Fellowship of Buddhists (WFB) will be held in northwest China's Shaanxi Province in October, WFB secretary-general said here Friday.

The event, set for October 16-18, will be held in the city of Baoji, Phallop Thaiarry said at a press conference.

This is the first time that the WFB, an international Buddhist organization headquartered in Bangkok, has decided to hold its general conference in China.

Shaanxi province has been selected "for its history of Buddhist propagation and being the learning center of Buddhism for a long time," Phallop said.

The event is expected to attract around 400 representatives from dozens of countries and regions across the world, as well as 400 observers, executive vice mayor of Baoji Zhang Jingyuan said, adding preparations have already commenced.

The conference will not only help Chinese Buddhists strengthen ties with the WFB and Buddhists worldwide but also contribute to the world peace, said Xuecheng, vice president of the Buddhist Association of China.

Founded in Sri Lanka in 1950, the WFB has aimed to promote strict observance and practice of the teachings of the Buddha, secure unity and brotherhood amongst Buddhists, and organize all sorts of humanitarian activities