On November 1st, the 5th Global Mazu Culture Forum was held in the Meizhou Island of Putian City in Fujian Province, hosted by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Ministry of Natural Resources, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang, Macao SAR Government and Fujian Province People’s Government. The opening of the forum was announced by Zheng Jianbang, vice chairman of the CPPCC National Committee and executive vice chairman of the Central Committee of the Democratic Revolution. Those attended the opening ceremony and delivered speeches were Zhang Xu, vice minister and member of leading party group of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Gao Xiang, vice president of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and president of Chinese Academy of History, and Zhong Jianmin, vice governor of Fujian Province. Lin Zhaoshu, the former chairman of All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese and former vice chairman of Chinese Mazu Cultural Exchange Association, attended the opening ceremony. Representatives from Ministry of Natural Resources and Macao SAR Government delivered speeches. Other attendees included Duchamp Belá Dusan Bella, Slovakia’s ambassador to China, Friedrich Stift, Austria’s ambassador to China, Darko Pajovic, Republic of Montenegro’s ambassador to China, representatives of Taiwan compatriots in the mainland of China, experts, scholars, famous heads of Chinese compatriots living abroad, entrepreneurs, representatives of chambers of commerce and representatives of Mazu culture institute of various provinces, districts and cities.
Zhang Xu said that Mazu culture was a treasure of traditional Chinese culture as well as an important bridge to connect people of Chinese origin. Global Mazu Culture Forum was an open, inclusive and diverse platform for the communication of Mazu culture between different countries and regions. He hoped that the forum could let people focus on cultural communication and mutual-learning; push the inheritance and development of Mazu culture; encourage relating customs to play a significant role in promoting economic and cultural communication and cooperation between Taiwan and the mainland of China as well as “belt and road” countries and regions; reach consensus between Mazu culture institutions and believers and push forward people-to-people communication and peaceful development of countries and regions along the maritime silk road.
Gao Xiang said that Chinese Academy of Social Sciences had attached great importance to the research, interpretation and promotion of outstanding traditional Chinese culture. From now on, the institution would innovate systems and mechanisms; solidify distinguished scholars from home and abroad and enhance the research and interpretation of Mazu culture and enhance academic communication and cooperation so as to build a wider platform to promote traditional Chinese culture; reach consensus among more people and contribute more to the community for mankind with a shared future.
Zheng Jianmin said that Fujian Province would continue to protect and promote Mazu culture which was a spiritual treasure for all and protect heritages of Mazu culture; start cooperation of all aspects and of multiple levels; encourage Fujian businessmen and overseas Chinese of Fujian origin and carry out more close cooperation between countries and regions along the maritime silk road to fight against the pandemic and to have more people-to-people communication and business interaction, so as to push Mazu culture to have more influence in the world.
The theme of the forum was “Mazu Culture and the Community for Mankind with a Shared Future”. It included the opening ceremony, keynote speech, consensus announcement, promotion and signing of investment projects and other processes. The 22nd Putian Mazu Culture Tourism Festival was also held in the Meizhou Island at the same period.