HA NOI — The Buddha statue, the largest of its kind in France made of jade, has been officiated in front of Truc Lam Zen Monastery in Villebon sur Yvette, the southern surburb of Paris.

The statue, 99cm in height and 270 kg in weight, a gift from Buddhist Dang Thi Bich Hoa, general director of the VNPost Express JSC, is seen as the most valuable Buddha in France.

Speaking at the event, Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Thanh Son, head of the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs, said this event is a symbol of solidarity between Vietnamese people at home and the Vietnamese community in Paris.

He said he hopes that Truc Lam Pagoda will be a convergence place for not only overseas Vietnamese Buddhist followers in Paris but also many from other countries who come here to pray for peace and prosperity.

In his speech, Dominique Fontenaille, mayor of Villebon sur Yvette, expressed his gratitude to the Truc Lam Zen Monastery for upholding the public's spiritual life and contributing to the city's beauty.

He stressed that both Vietnamese and French people shared the same crucial values of peace, humanity and bliss.