People gathered on Meizhou Island, the sacred ancestral home of the sea goddess Mazu, in Putian, Fujian province,  to count down to the anniversary of her birth on May 8. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Liu Bingqing, vice-chairman of the Thai-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, said, "Mazu remains an unbreakable lifeline connecting overseas Chinese to their ancestral home.

"She is not only a treasure for the Chinese people but a spiritual wealth that can benefit all humanity."

Early settlers on Taiwan brought the Mazu custom to the island from Fujian, and the tradition remains vibrant today.