Cultural Week Held in Southeast China to Strengthen Cross-Strait Relations

The Chen Jinggu Cultural Week, held from 10 to 12 June in Gutian, Fujian Province in southeast China, attracted thousands of residents and visitors from various regions. The event was part of the 18th Straits Forum. Gutian has for years continuously organised activities themed around Chen Jinggu culture. Besides being known as the birthplace of that culture, Gutian is also a centre for preserving traditions passed down over centuries. Through this event, the local government aims to safeguard cultural heritage while strengthening cross-Strait community relations. According to Gutian County Party Secretary Xu Feng, the cultural week originated from a spirit of nurturing the shared cultural roots among communities on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. As explained by Xu, Chen Jinggu culture has developed far beyond its origins in eastern Fujian. Today, the belief is embraced by around 120 million people spread across various temples and places of worship worldwide. He assessed that the Chen Jinggu cultural heritage reflects the diversity, openness, and resilience of Chinese civilisation. In folk tradition, Chen Jinggu is revered as the ‘goddess protecting women and children’. According to popular legend, Chen Jinggu was a woman during the Tang Dynasty who dedicated her life to studying medicine and helping those around her. The values contained in Chen Jinggu culture emphasise not only virtue but also compassion and justice. For this reason, the culture has become an important link strengthening cultural ties between communities on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. One of the main agendas this year was a pilgrimage to Linshui Palace, widely known as the ancestral temple of Chen Jinggu. The event on 11 June was attended by more than 1,000 representatives from various related organisations and places of worship. Participants came from Fujian, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, Guangdong, Zhejiang, as well as countries such as the United States, Canada, Malaysia, and Singapore. On that occasion, they also witnessed the launch of a pilot programme aimed at expanding cultural and traditional exchanges related to the Chen Jinggu belief between communities on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. Xu affirmed that Gutian will continue to develop this folk tradition as a cultural bridge. The local government is also working to strengthen industrial cooperation and promote youth entrepreneurship so that more Taiwanese citizens choose to live, work, and develop businesses in Gutian. In addition to the Chen Jinggu Cultural Week, a number of other activities were also held throughout the week to enhance interaction between young people, women, business actors, and business communities from Fujian and Taiwan. Through these various activities, the organisers aim to continue preserving and enlivening the cultural values and Chinese traditions passed down from generation to generation.