An annual culture and tourism festival promoting belief in the Life Protection Emperor opens in Xiamen city, Fujian province, April 22. [Photo/xmnn.cn]

An annual culture and tourism festival promoting belief in the Life Protection Emperor, which has been observed by people across the Strait for centuries, opened in Xiamen city, Fujian province, April 22. 

The 12th edition of the festival welcomed some 2,000 visitors from both sides of the Straits and Southeastern Asian countries, who came to worship the Chinese god of medicine and carry forward traditional culture. 

The Life Protection Emperor, or Baosheng Dadi, is believed to be an immortal master of medical science. He saved numerous people throughout his life, and his proficient skills and benevolent heart won him enormous admiration and love. 

Many temples in his name have been built across the Chinese mainland, Taiwan and Southeast Asia, including the Haicang Qingjiao Tzu Chi Temple where this festival was held. Tzu chi means compassionate relief in Chinese and people believe that worshipping the Life Protection Emperor will lead to healthy, long lives. 

Visitors appreciate old photos exhibited on the sidelines of the festival in Xiamen, Fujian province, April 22. [Photo/xmnn.cn]

In this year's event, cross-Straits exchanges on a wide range of economic, cultural, religious, educational and medical aspects were covered, as an official from Haicang district said, "Communication across the Straits surely will develop toward deeper ground, with the festival covering more fields, cross-Straits ties are bonding tighter and citizens are engaging more actively." 

An exhibition displaying the archaic objects of overseas Chinese living in South Fujian was held on the festival's sidelines. Photos, gadgets and furniture depicting the authentic daily lives of these people reminded visitors of their kindred feelings and longing for home. 

"It feels so great to see these old photos, and they filI me with nostalgia," said Tsai Ping-tsung, a visitor from Taiwan. 

The event, since its initiation in 2006, has engaged over 50,000 Taiwan residents. It is now a trump card in boosting cross-Straits cultural exchanges.