NANCHANG, Nov. 25 -- A senior Chinese leader urged more cooperation between Chinese and overseas Taoist circles in exploring the religion's cultural repertory and contributing to world peace.

Yu Zhengsheng, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, made the remarks in a congratulatory letter to the 3rd International Taoist Forum.

The two-day event opened Tuesday in the city of Yingtan in east China's Jiangxi Province. More than 2,000 seniors, guests and disciples from 27 countries and regions attended the opening ceremony.

Taoism, rooted in the Chinese culture, upholds nature, respects lives and promotes harmony. Its various ideas have positive influences on boosting social harmony and stability, strengthening ecological protection and cultivating individual moral characters, according to Yu.

Taosim is expanding in Europe and America, attracting more attention, boosting China's exchange with other cultures and enabling better friendships between Chinese and people from other countries, Yu said.

"I hope domestic and overseas Taoist circles and figures could join hands in deeply exploring and promoting outstanding Taoist cultural resources, utilizing ancient wisdom to unite positive forces so as to make greater contributions to the world's lasting peace, common prosperity and human beings' welfare," Yu said.