More than 10,000 Chinese, including 3,000 from overseas, attended a grand worshipping ceremony on Friday to mark the nation's legendary ancestor Huangdi (Yellow Emperor). The 3rd day of the 3rd lunar month that falls on yesterday has been believed to be the birthday of the saint.

 

The ceremony was held in Xinzheng, central China's Henan Province, where the capital of Huangdi's Huaxia Empire was located after he united all the other tribes in China 5,000 years ago.

 

Those attending the ceremony included He Luli, vice chairwoman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC); Zhang Siqing and Luo Haocai, vice chairpersons of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC); Chen Yunlin, director of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council; and P.K. Chiang, vice chairman of the Kuomintang (KMT).

 

 

Kang Yonghua, a Chinese American worshipper, said he will take home some souvenirs for his children and tell them they are the offspring of the Chinese nation.

 

Ding Wenzhi, vice director of a Thai-Chinese culture communication organization, said: "I've found my roots here. We are in one family."

 

Huangdi has been regarded as the common ancestor of all the Chinese people around the world.

 

Archaeologists said that Huangdi worship activities date back to the ancient Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC) in Chinese history.

 

 

(Xinhua News Agency April 1, 2006)