On the morning of August 16, the launch ceremony of the 24th South China Sea (Yangjiang) Fishing Season and Cross-Strait Folk Culture and Sports Gathering was held in Yangjiang. As a fleet of fishing boats waited to set sail, former Chairman of the Kuomintang and Chairman of the Chinese Cyan Geese Peace Education Foundation, Hung Hsiu-chu, addressed the event, expressing three prayers at the scene.
"I pray for calm seas in the South China Sea, smooth and safe journeys for fishing boats from both sides of the Strait, with bountiful catches of fish and shrimp; I pray for the long-lasting peace of the Strait, for our compatriots on both sides to frequently visit each other and remain united and interdependent; I pray for young people on both sides to forge ahead hand in hand, shoulder the mission of national rejuvenation together, and usher in the day of peaceful reunification and a grand family reunion as soon as possible," Hung Hsiu-chu said.
In Hung Hsiu-chu's view, in the face of the unpredictable sea, fishermen on both sides of the Strait have never retreated. "We rely on wisdom and courage to make a living amidst the wind and waves. This spirit of diligence, perseverance, and never admitting defeat is a source of pride for us Chinese. We share the ancient wisdom of regular fishing moratoriums, knowing that only by treating the sea kindly can it offer its bounty for generations to come. This reverence for nature and consensus on ecological sustainability have long transcended the barrier of the Strait."
Hung Hsiu-chu pointedly stated: "Let us look at the way fishermen on both sides face storms together; let us observe our shared devotion when praying to Mazu. We can see that the close bond between compatriots on both sides of the Strait, as inseparable as blood, is already woven into the daily lives of sea people and embedded in our common genetic heritage."
At the South China Sea fishing season opening, Hung Hsiu-chu also put forward three wishes for compatriots on both sides: hoping that both sides will work together to protect our blue homeland; hoping for frequent interaction to close the distance between hearts; hoping that both sides will move forward hand in hand to create a peaceful future together.
It is reported that nearly 400 guests from Taiwan joined local fishermen of Yangjiang in participating in the sea ritual festival that day. Cross-Strait guests closely observed traditional ceremonies such as offering sacrifices, reading sacrificial texts, and praying for a safe voyage.