Could sea goddess Mazu connect atheist mainland China with believer Taiwan?
Fujian province is emerging as a testing ground for China's efforts to integrate economically, socially, and politically with Taiwan, with both Chinese President Xi Jinping and Taiwanese leader William Lai emphasizing their reverence for the sea goddess Mazu. This shared cultural figure is seen as a potential bridge between the two sides, despite their differing political stances and objectives.
Since the 1990s, Xi has highlighted the cultural significance of Mazu, even allocating funds during his governorship to promote her heritage on Meizhou Island, which is tied to Mazu's legend. On the other hand, Lai, who identifies with the pro-independence stance of the Democratic Progressive Party, has long been a devotee of Mazu and incorporated her worship into his political campaign, advocating for peace with the mainland. However, this shared reverence for Mazu belies a growing tension, as her worship and the influx of Taiwanese visitors to Meizhou Island have become contentious points in cross-strait relations.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
Fujian province is emerging as a testing ground for China's efforts to integrate economically, socially, and politically with Taiwan, with both Chinese President Xi Jinping and Taiwanese leader William Lai emphasizing their reverence for the sea goddess Mazu. This shared cultural figure is seen as a potential bridge between the two sides, despite their differing political stances and objectives.
Since the 1990s, Xi has highlighted the cultural significance of Mazu, even allocating funds during his governorship to promote her heritage on Meizhou Island, which is tied to Mazu's legend. On the other hand, Lai, who identifies with the pro-independence stance of the Democratic Progressive Party, has long been a devotee of Mazu and incorporated her worship into his political campaign, advocating for peace with the mainland. However, this shared reverence for Mazu belies a growing tension, as her worship and the influx of Taiwanese visitors to Meizhou Island have become contentious points in cross-strait relations.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
