A Mazu-themed charity event was held recently in Beijing to promote the Mazu ideals of mercy, love, peace and harmony.

Mazu is the goddess of the sea who is said to protect fishermen and sailors. She is widely worshipped in the southeastern coastal areas of China and neighboring areas in Southeast Asia.

In 2009, the worship of Mazu has been inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. There are more than 300 million followers of Mazu worldwide.

Organized by Mazuge Group and China Mazu Culture Development Foundation, the event celebrated Mazu's birth, visited poor families and planted trees.