Russian president Putin's two-hour visit to the Songshan Shaolin Temple has brought about greater attention from the world towards the internationally acclaimed temple.

Shi Yongxin, as the abbot of this famous temple, has been very busy recently. After going to Paris on June 7 to kick off the first "TV Kungfu Star International Competition" (France region), he then returned to the temple to sign a contract with Shoal Heaven City, Australia on June 11.

The government of the Shoal Heaven City has offered to permanently give an 18,000 mu (297 hectare) piece of land that is considered to be the most beautiful area to the temple. In the near future, Australia will have the largest overseas Shaolin temple that will have facilities for Buddhist martial arts practice, research, exercise, cultural exchanges and tours.

Since the first overseas Shaolin cultural center opened in Berlin, Germany, five years ago, Shaolin Temple has established more than ten Buddhist martial art centers and branches abroad in succession. There is an emphasis on cultural exchanges with local cultures.

"During this process, we see respect from foreigners for Shaolin culture." Shi Yongxin said, The Shaolin culture has become a symbol of Chinese traditional culture and has made China closer to the world.

With the competition kicking off successively in the US, Germany, France, Russia, Italy, Australia and other international regions, and many Shaolin-themed movies and TV shows being screened, the Shaolin Temple is fashioning the Shaolin Kungfu into a global cultural brand.
 
(Chinanews.cn June 22, 2006 )