On May 29, the 18th Straits Forum · Straits People’s Forum was held on Meizhou Island in Putian, Fujian.
The forum was co-hosted by the Fujian Overseas Friendship Association, the Taiwan People’s Culture Exchange Association, and others. More than 300 distinguished members of kinship communities on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, experts in surname culture, and representatives of folk associations gathered in Mazu's hometown under the theme “Shared Roots Across the Strait, Fujian and Taiwan as One Family,” to share family bonds and discuss integrated development.
Lin Rui, vice chairman of the China Overseas Friendship Association, said that surname culture carries the shared bloodline and historical memory of people on both sides of the Strait; the forum should be used as an opportunity to uphold the concept that “people on both sides of the Strait are one family,” carry out cultural exchanges such as root-seeking and ancestral homage, strengthen national identity, build consensus on peaceful development, and work together for the well-being of people on both sides of the Strait.
Wu Rongyuan, chairman of the Taiwan Labor Party, said in a video address that Chinese surname culture carries thousands of years of historical memory. Across the strait, people are close in geography, kinship, and culture, and the deep bond of "one family on both sides of the strait" has closely united compatriots on both sides. Both sides should uphold peace and development, advance cooperation through inclusiveness and mutual trust, and create a better future together.
On May 29, the 18th Strait Forum · Strait Public Forum was held on Meizhou Island in Putian, Fujian. Photo by Cai Hao.
The event showcased successful cases of cross-strait searches for roots and relatives, as well as the results of clan genealogy matching from previous forums. It also featured activities such as the "Hundred Genealogies Returning to the Ancestral Lineage" ceremony, in which representatives of the same clans from both sides of the strait verified each other's genealogies and exchanged family letters.
Yan Wucheng, a member of the Yan clan in Taiwan, made contact with clan relatives in Fujian through the 8th Strait Public Forum and traced his roots back to his ancestral home. After exchanging genealogies at the event, he said, "Where we come from and where our roots lie is something we must never forget. The Yans in Taiwan and the Yans in Fujian share the same roots and the same source. We are all descendants of Taicheng Gong in Jianning, Fujian!"
Founded in 2007, the Strait Public Forum is an important brand for folk cultural exchange across the strait. Over the years, the forum has invited more than 30,000 clan representatives from both sides to attend, drawn about 300,000 Taiwan residents to take part in exchanges, and helped about 6 million Taiwan compatriots return to the mainland to trace their roots, pay respects to their ancestors, and continue their genealogies. According to incomplete statistics, more than 10,000 clan genealogies have been jointly compiled across the strait, and more than 2,000 genealogies have been matched.
During the forum, guests will visit the Meizhou Mazu Ancestral Temple and other sites to trace the shared cultural roots across the Strait.
Source: China News Service