BEIJING, May 10 (Xinhua) -- A senior Chinese leader urged more cooperation between Chinese and overseas Taoist circles in contributing to world peace and harmony.

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

The three-day event opened Wednesday in the Wudang Mountains in central China's Hubei Province, with representatives from 30 countries and regions attending.

Taoism, rooted in Chinese culture, could boost harmony between nations and religions, according to Yu.

By supporting the forum, the Chinese government would like to promote exchange, understanding and friendship, Yu said.

Yu called on Taoist circles and figures to building a global community of a shared destiny, world peace and humanism.

Taoism is a religion originating from the writings and philosophy of Lao Tze (BC 571-471). According to his "Tao De Ching", everything in the universe was born from a vacuum, and a balance must be achieved between humans and nature.