In the 30-year history of cross-strait exchanges, the "three direct links" have always been the goal pursued unremittingly by people on both sides. In 2001, the two sides of the Taiwan Strait began to implement the "three direct links". At the end of 2008, the two-way and direct "three direct links" between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait were finally realized. Nowadays, a one-day living circle on both sides of the Taiwan Strait has long been formed, and it is very convenient for people to travel between the two sides. But nearly 30 years ago, a group of Mazu believers in Taiwan braved the violent winds and waves of the Taiwan Strait, and even risked being arrested and imprisoned by the Taiwan authorities. Led by Lin Yuanji, the then chairman of Yilan Nantian Temple, they took a 20-year-old A fishing boat departed from Yilan and sailed directly to the Mazu Ancestral Temple in Meizhou, Fujian to pay homage to the ancestors and welcome more than 300 Mazu statues back to Taiwan for worship. At that time, this move was the first direct flight from Taiwan to the mainland since 1949, causing a sensation on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. It was called "the two sides of the Taiwan Strait are blocked, and religion takes precedence."
Lin Yuanji, the former chairman of Nantian Temple in Yilan, Taiwan, led his followers to bravely fly directly to Meizhou Island in mainland China in 1989, and was hailed as the "pioneer in cross-strait direct flights." Lin Yuanji said: "This photo was taken when our boat sailed over (Meizhou Island) to invite Mazu to the Mazu Temple (Yilan), and we took it around the border there. There were more than 200 people on the boat. , more than 100 people went by plane, a total of more than 370 Taiwanese. "
28 years ago, more than 200 believers from Nantian Temple in Yilan, Taiwan, took a direct voyage to Meizhou Island in Fujian on 20 fishing boats and arrived at Mazu. The ancestral temple pays homage to the ancestors and offers incense, and welcomes more than 300 Mazu statues back to Taiwan for worship. The person who led these Taiwanese believers to come bravely was Lin Yuanji, the then chairman of Yilan Nantian Palace. The reason why it was called "brave" was because at that time the two sides of the Taiwan Strait had not yet realized the "three direct links" and there was almost no communication. But for the deep belief in Mazu in their hearts, Lin Yuanji and these believers became "pioneers" without hesitation.
Recalling that experience at that time, Lin Yuanji was still deeply touched. At that time, the two sides of the Taiwan Strait were isolated and exchanges were strictly prohibited. When organizing believers to go back to the Meizhou Ancestral Temple to offer incense, they also considered that they would be punished by the Taiwan authorities. However, Lin Yuanji said: "The Mazu in Taiwan are all descendants of Meizhou. We We just went to Meizhou to offer incense and did nothing else. We will not regret it!”
Lin Yuanji’s actions 28 years ago set a precedent for direct cross-strait flights after 1949. This feat of and theirs became a model of 's "official and private communication" at that time. The media commented that this move laid the historical foundation for today's "small three direct links" and "big three direct links" on both sides of the strait. communication, he also has a share of credit. Lin Yuanji is also quite proud of this. He said: "Some mainland journalists came to thank me especially, saying that because of our (action), they were able to come to Taiwan, otherwise they would not know when (they could come). . ”
Nowadays, Lin Yuanji, who is over eighty years old, has long since stepped down from the important task of chairman of Nantian Palace, but his deep feelings for Mazu’s hometown still make him go to Meizhou Island to pay homage to his ancestors almost every year.
Looking through old photos from 28 years ago, Lin Yuanji said with emotion that the changes in the mainland in the past few decades have been earth-shaking when talking about the new look of the mainland. Lin Yuanji said: "When we went to the mainland, there were no highways at all. They were all dirt roads. Now there are highways and high-speed trains everywhere. In my impression (the mainland) is still relatively backward, with a gap of more than fifteen years, but Now the mainland has advanced for more than fifteen years. "
Yilan Nanfang'ao fishing port, surrounded by mountains on three sides, is home to hundreds of fishing boats of all kinds. However, there are still two fishing boats that sailed directly to Meizhou. They have not retired yet. It has been a long time. Mottled traces have been left on the fishing boats. The turbulent river water has passed by for 28 years. Looking at this witness of history, Lin Yuanji feels a little emotional. Compared with the past days of secretly traveling to and from the mainland, cross-strait exchanges are now so frequent that he could not have imagined back then. Lin Yuanji hopes that both sides of the Taiwan Strait will not go back and return to the closed state of the past where they did not communicate with each other. This is also the common hope of people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.
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