Shaolin Temple seals Australian deal

Visitors wait to enter Shaolin Temple in Dengfeng, Henan province, during the National Day holiday last year.Photos by Zhu Xingxin / China Daily and File Photo

China's legendary Shaolin Temple in Henan province is poised to build a complex in Australia that will include a temple, four-star hotel, kung fu academy and educational facilities.

The center is expected to boost the Australian region's tourism industry and create hundreds of jobs.

Qian Daliang, general manager of Shaolin Intangible Assets Management, said on Friday the temple has completed a land purchase deal initiated in 2006 by paying A$4.16 million ($3.26 million) to a city in Australia's New South Wales state.

Last week, Shi Yongxin, abbot of Shaolin Temple, presented the final payment to Joanna Gash, mayor of Shoalhaven, for Comberton Grange, a 1,248-hectare property.

"The Australian facility will mainly provide a place for foreigners to study and practice Buddhism," Qian told China Daily on Friday. "It will be the largest of the 40 overseas Shaolin Temple centers approved so far."

Details of the project will be announced in a month after the plan is approved by government departments in both countries, Qian said, adding that the project has received generous support from the Australian government.

A report on abc.net.au quoted Gash as saying that the Shoalhaven council is pleased with the outcome of the Shaolin project and looks forward to moving to the next stage.

"The money from China has been transferred to the Shaolin Temple Foundation, and we have received checks for the full amount," Gash said. "That will allow the project to finally move forward."