PUTIAN, China, Nov. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- A report from China Daily:

Over 200 Gen Z representatives from more than 20 countries and regions gathered in Putian, Fujian, from Oct 27 to Nov 1 for the Mazu Culture Youth Exchange Forum: Global Gen Z in Dialogue with Mazu Culture. This event themed "Empowering Youth to Build a Shared Future" aims to pass down Mazu's spirit and advance global youth cultural dialogue.

During the event, participants visited cultural landmarks, heritage parks and local venues across Putian, experiencing traditional craftsmanship and learning about local heritage inheritance and economic development.

For overseas youth, Mazu culture serves as a powerful cross-cultural bridge. Vietnamese student Lam Phuoc Thanh realized his childhood dream of visiting Mazu's birthplace. "Mazu is like a cultural ambassador, bringing people together," he said. "The core values remain the same, encouraging people to practice kindness and compassion."

Japanese student Amirlin Niijima found profound cultural connections behind the ancient maritime tradition. "This visit helped me realize that cultural similarities are not always coincidental," she noted. She added that both Mazu worship and Okinawan indigenous traditions embody respect for nature and care for communities, inspiring her to promote China-Japan marine environmental cooperation.

Pakistani student Tanveer Ahmed was deeply touched by generations of inheritors' devotion. He spoke highly of the modern MAZU AI meteorological early warning system. "Mazu has traditionally represented people's hopes for safety and protection, while today's MAZU initiative uses modern technology to help protect people from natural disasters," he said.

The event also saw the launch of the "Silk Road Youth, Building a Shared Future — Global Gen Z Meizhou Initiative", which calls on young people to promote Mazu culture, protect marine ecosystems, spread compassion and foster exchanges between civilizations.

Guyanese student Ya Meng Wan first encountered the tradition through social media videos of temple processions and jiaobei, a divination practice involving crescent-shaped wooden blocks. The Chinese television drama Mazu, starring actress Liu Tao, further sparked her curiosity.

At the Mazu Ancestral Temple, Wan watched visitors paying their respects and a procession in which participants escorted a statue of the goddess through the streets.

"The atmosphere was both lively and solemn," she said. "I realized that Mazu culture is not just a historical story or something that exists on television. It is still closely connected with people's lives today."

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SOURCE China Daily