Hainan Nationality Museum

Museum of the South China Sea on the island of Hainan, China - 3D technology

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Five Finger Mountain Raymondc's photos around Wuzhishan, China (five finger mountain hainan)

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Opening of temporary display of one of Buddha's fingers

1. Various blessing ceremony of Buddha's finger relic
2. Finger relic held in a bulletproof glass box
3. Arrival of Chinese communist party official Liu Yandong and Hong Kong Chief executive Tung Chee-hwa
4. Various wide shots of ceremony
5. Set up shot of pro-democracy lawmaker Lee Cheuk-yan
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Lee Cheuk-yan, Pro-democracy lawmaker:
We believe that the whole purpose of the central government officials coming to attend the Buddha's finger relic is a political public relations exercise to soothe the anger of the people of Hong Kong after the National Peoples' Congress intervened into our political reform debate and denied universal suffrage in the year 2007-2008. So, people are angry and I think they (central government officials) came to soothe the anger. But I don't think this will work. The people of Hong Kong want to develop our own political reform system and to protect our core values of liberties and fight for democracy. We'd rather have the central government allow us freedom to decide our own future of political reform rather than just have some public relations exercise.
7. Wide shot of ceremony

STORYLINE:

Beijing is loaning Hong Kong one of the Buddha's fingers for public display, but critics have belittled the move as a political gesture to soothe anger over China's recent decision ruling out full democracy in Hong Kong.

Beijing dispatched a senior Communist Party official to Hong Kong in a bid on Wednesday to dissipate the tensions, but critics said Liu Yandong's visit could deepen the rift.

The holy relic is revered by many of Hong Kong's Buddhists who were celebrating Buddha's birthday on Wednesday.

After presiding over the ceremonial display, Liu said she was reaching out as a friend to all segments of Hong Kong.

Last month, Beijing ruled out direct elections for Hong Kong's next leader in 2007 and all lawmakers in 2008, claiming that universal suffrage could bring social and economic instability.

Pro-democratic politicians were sceptical of Liu's motives.

Lee Cheuk-yan, pro-democracy lawmaker, said that her attendance at the ceremony was nothing more than a political public relations exercise.

He said that Hong Kong's residents want the right to develop their own plan for a political reform _ one that would protect their values for democracy and liberty.

Liu appeared with Hong Kong's Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa as one of Buddha's fingers _ flown in from China on Tuesday _ was displayed in its bulletproof glass box.

Liu was also expected to meet various representatives of the Hong Kong community.

Liu heads the Communist Party's United Front Work Department, which seeks to build ties between the mainland's ruling party and various elements of Chinese society.


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Wanning - Hainan

Wanning - Hainan
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Five Fingers Mountain - Baku

Zharu Valley Eco-Tourism Hike (Day Three)

For the 3rd and final day of the hike, we headed downhill and visited a local Tibetan village. Inside, we were welcomed with multiple cups of butter tea and plates full of home-cooked food. After a bike ride and a stop at the local temple, we took part in a roast lamb party. With singing, dancing, delicious food, and plenty of barley wine, it was the great way to end an incredible journey.