WORLD FAMOUS MOUNTAIN ASSOCIATION FORMED

By Vincent Low

LUSHAN, Oct 15 (Bernama) -- The World Famous Mountain Association was formed Wednesday, with its headquaters in Mount Lushan, Jiangxi Province at the First World Famous Mountain conference here Wednesday.

Disclosing this at the closing ceremony of the two-day conference,
association vice-chairman Zheng Xiang said representatives of 12 famous
mountains worldwide had unanimously agreed to form the association at the
conference.

The mountains are Mt Lushan of China, Mt Taishan (China), Hood
Mountain (USA), Mt Gambier (Australia), Eisenwurzen Geo Park (Austria), Araripe
Geopark (Brazil), Bergstasse Odenwald Global Geopark (Germany), Mt Chocolate
(Philippines), Mt Covasna (Romania), Mt Gaina (Romania), Mt Table (South Africa)
and Mt Kilimanjaro (Tanzania).

Zheng described the association as friendly, non-governmental and
non-profit.

"We believe the founding of the World Famous Mountain Association would
accelerate developement and progress of famous mountains and contribute to world
harmony.

"Representatives of famous mountains of the world are invited to join the
association to promote friendship, culture, tourism and environmental
protection.

Themed 'Friendship, Cooperation and Development', the conference focused
on protecting and developing world famous mountains.
-- BERNAMA