Master Hsing Yun will be invited as an honorary counselor for the China Taipei delegation during the Games from August 8 to 24, the report said.

Hsing, a native of Jiangsu Province, is a key figure in modern Buddhism in Taiwan.

The 81-year-old man had already been invited as a guest to the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics and said he would like to share the honor and pride with all Taiwan athletes, the report said.

The China Taipei delegation is expected to send 77 to 80 athletes to the 2008 Olympics, the report said.