Mr Putin flew to Zhengzhou, capital of China’s Henan Province, where he was met by Xu Guang Chun, secretary of the province’s Communist Party, and by Li Chen Yu, the governor of Henan, and was presented with a painting depicting the martial arts experts of Shaolin.
Mr Putin then travelled to Shaolin, located not far from the town of Dengfeng in Henan Province. The President was met at the Mountain Gates, the monastery’s main entrance, by Shi Yong Xin, the monastery’s superior.
Mr Shi accompanied the President on a visit of the monastery and told him about its history.
See also
Official Visit to China
March 21 − 22, 2006