Declaring the assignment of priestess Wu Chengzhen.

Special guests and abbot Wu Chengzhen at the celebration ceremony.

On November 15, priestess Wu Chengzhen from Changchun Taoist Temple became the first female abbot in 1,800 years of Chinese Taoist history.

Born on January 14, 1957, in Xinzhou, Hubei province, Wu graduated from Huazhong University of Science and Technology with a Master's degree in philosophy. She is now served as a standing member of  Chinese People's Political Consultative Committee (CPPCC) Hubei Provincial committee, Chairman of the Hubei Taoist Association, Chairman of the Wuhan Taoist Association, and abbot of Changchun Taoist Temple.

A ceremony was held Sunday attended by Qi Xiaofei, vice administrator of the State Administration of Religious Affairs, and Ren Farong, chairman of the Chinese Taoist Association.

According to the culture of Taoism, an abbot is the highest leader. The election of the abbot is very strict, as candidates should pass three big ordinations with a good standingreputation.

Since 2000, Wu has made great contributions to the society, fundraising nearly 4 billion yuan to for the poor and children who have dropped out of school.

Wu also facilitated many cultural exchanges, introducing Chinese Taoism to Southeast Asia and Europe.