The shared cultural and ancestral ties between Taiwan and mainland China were highlighted during a recent visit by Taiwan compatriots to Qingshan Temple in Hui’an county, Quanzhou, Fujian province. The event underscored the deep-rooted connections that bind people across the Taiwan Strait, emphasizing their shared belief in the goddess Mazu and common ancestry in Fujian province. Approximately 80% of Taiwan’s population traces their lineage to Fujian, which lies just across the narrow strait from Taiwan. Lin Ming-cong, head of an association of relatives of patriots in Taiwan who fought against Japanese occupation, remarked, ‘We speak the same dialect and worship the same goddess, which shows that we share the same roots and are one family.’ His family, originally from Pinghe county in Zhangzhou, Fujian, migrated to Taiwan during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and later thrived there. In Taiwan, numerous groups have been established to unite descendants of Fujian, fostering mutual support and strengthening ties among clan relatives on both sides of the Strait. This cultural and familial bond serves as a powerful reminder of the unity and shared heritage that transcend political divisions.