Mazu Cultural Week Strengthens Cross-Straits Bonds 🌊✨ - 🌍NewspaperAmigo

Meizhou Island in Putian City, southeast China's Fujian Province, kicked off the Mazu cultural activity week on Friday as part of the 16th Straits Forum. This week-long event, themed \"Chinese affection for Mazu and both sides of the Taiwan Straits being one family,\" aims to deepen spiritual bonds and promote cultural exchange between the Chinese mainland and the Taiwan region.

The festivities highlight youth interaction, grassroots exchanges, and economic and trade integration, all designed to consolidate kinship and enhance well-being for people across the Straits. Mazu, a revered sea goddess, symbolizes the shared cultural heritage that unites both sides.

Historically, the belief in Mazu has been a powerful connector. In 1989, fishermen from Yilan in Taiwan initiated the first direct sea trip between the two sides by escorting a Mazu statue to Meizhou Island. In 1997, another statue toured Taiwan for 102 days, attracting over 10 million worshippers. More recently, a 10-day pilgrimage in September 2023 drew over 500 Taiwan compatriots.

Each year, more than 300,000 Taiwan compatriots visit Meizhou for pilgrimages and sightseeing, according to local authorities. This cultural activity week is part of Fujian Province's role as a demonstration zone for cross-Straits integrated development, as designated by a circular from the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council.

Wu Cheng-tien, chairman of Taiwan's New Party, emphasized the deep cultural and emotional connections shared by compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Straits. Sun Dechong, executive vice president of the All-China Federation of Taiwan Enterprises, highlighted the unique advantage of Mazu culture in promoting integrated development and spiritual bonding.

Looking ahead, both regions aim to jointly apply for the World Cultural Heritage listing of Minnan red-brick buildings and Mazu cultural relics, further solidifying their shared heritage.