The Mazu Culture Week of the 13th Straits Forum kicks off in Meizhou Island, Putian, Fujian province. [Photo/WeChat account: ptgbdst]

The Mazu Culture Week of the 13th Straits Forum kicked off in Meizhou Island, Putian, Fujian province on Dec 9, attracting people from both sides of the Taiwan Straits.

The culture week is aimed at promoting traditional Chinese culture and mutual development, and boosting exchange and communication between people from both sides of the Taiwan Straits.

During the launch ceremony, financial credit certificates were issued to 24 Taiwan companies and seven Taiwan compatriots who are from industries like shoe leather production, mechanical engineering, real estate, logistics, and food.

Fifteen cooperative projects between Putian and Taiwan worth 3.73 billion yuan ($586.01 million) in investments were signed online during the ceremony.

Various events, including a cross-Straits medical symposium, a cultural exchange event for women from Putian and Taiwan, a competition about creative broadcast works, and a cross-Straits youths entrepreneurship forum will also be held during the culture week to boost economic and cultural cooperation and exchanges.