MEIZHOU, China – Over a thousand Taiwanese pilgrims traveled to southeast China’s Fujian province this week to participate in a significant religious festival, marking a rare instance of cross-strait cultural exchange amidst escalating political tensions.
On Meizhou Island, home to a cluster of rural fishing villages, devotees of the sea goddess Mazu gathered to honor the revered folk deity. The island, considered the most important Mazu religious center, witnessed the deafening roar of firecrackers and gongs as participants, dressed in colorful ceremonial robes, paraded statues of Mazu around the temples. The festival featured drum troupes, fireworks, and vibrant ceremonies, highlighting the deep cultural ties shared by communities on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.
Mazu, believed to protect sailors and fishermen, holds significant spiritual importance for millions in Taiwan and southern China’s coastal regions. The event drew devotees who see the goddess as a symbol of safety and prosperity, fostering a sense of unity and shared heritage despite the prevailing political climate.
However, Taiwanese officials have expressed concerns that the Chinese Communist Party is leveraging such religious exchanges to influence Taiwanese believers. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticized the subsidized visits, viewing them as efforts by Beijing to assert its influence over Taiwan’s populace through cultural means.
The timing of the pilgrimage is particularly sensitive, coming after Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te reiterated the island’s sovereignty on October 10, a statement that angered Beijing. In response, China has intensified its military presence around Taiwan, conducting large-scale “punishment” drills and threatening further actions to assert its claims over the democratically governed island.
Despite these tensions, organizers of the Mazu festival emphasized that the event aims to promote peace and unity across the Taiwan Strait. Banners displayed slogans like “Let peace spread across both sides of the strait,” and local officials hailed Meizhou as a “model zone for cross-strait integrated development.”
The festival highlighted the enduring cultural connections that persist despite geopolitical conflicts. While tourism between China and Taiwan remains restricted, recent efforts to facilitate travel to nearby regions, such as flights to Kinmen in September, indicate a cautious approach to maintaining people-to-people ties amidst broader political challenges.
Participants like retiree Chen Ping-tsun and university lecturer Rita Bai expressed hope that cultural exchanges could help ease political tensions. “Cross-strait relations are quite tense now, but I hope everyone can get along peacefully and increase mutual visits to prevent misunderstandings,” said Mr. Chen. Ms. Bai added, “We are only ordinary folks. When they play politics, frankly speaking, it’s a struggle between powers. But we care more about personal ties and cultural exchanges.”
The Mazu festival serves as a poignant reminder of how cultural and religious traditions can bridge divides, fostering understanding and solidarity even in times of significant political strife.