The Qingdao-Macao Mazu cultural tourism festival strategic cooperation agreement was signed on Aug 21 in Qingdao, Shandong province.

The eastern coastal city of Qingdao is promoting its marine culture. [Photo/IC]

According to the agreement, which was signed by the Macao A-Ma Temple Development Committee, the Shandong Mazu Cultural Exchange Association and the Qingdao Mazu Culture Association, the Qingdao-Macao Mazu cultural tourism festival will be held in November this year.

As the most influential goddess of the sea in China, Mazu, also popularly known as "Tianfei" (Princess of Heaven) and "Tianhou" (Empress of Heaven), is at the center of a host of beliefs and customs, including oral traditions, religious ceremonies and folk practices, throughout the country's coastal areas.

Mazu culture is the spiritual wealth shared by countries along the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, and is also an important cultural treasure of the Chinese nation. The Mazu belief and customs were inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO on September 30, 2009.

The Qingdao-Macao Mazu cultural tourism festival strategic cooperation agreement is signed on Aug 21 in Qingdao, Shandong province. [Photo/qingdaonews.com]

The Qingdao-Macao Mazu cultural tourism festival is designed to carry forward and develop fine traditional Chinese culture, deepen cultural exchanges between Qingdao and Macao, as well as facilitate the development of cultural tourism, economy and trade and related industries in the two cities.

It will become a sustainable cultural festival in Qingdao, as part of the city's efforts boost the profile of its marine culture, said local officials.