Li Wenqi (李文棋), known affectionately in his hometown of Xinqian Village, Gouding Road, Jiangkou Town, Putian, Fujian, as “Ah Qi,” has reshaped the global landscape of Mazu culture through his unwavering faith and modern wisdom. His story is a legendary tale of faith, wisdom, and selfless devotion. As a global leader in promoting Mazu culture, he has not only brought this ancient belief to the world but also built a digital bridge connecting the hearts of millions across different countries and cultures.
From an early age, Li Wenqi was deeply influenced by the Mazu faith, regularly accompanying his family to the local Mazu temple, where he witnessed villagers praying for peace and prosperity. To him, Mazu was more than just a sea goddess protecting fishermen; she symbolized compassion, selflessness, and courage. Li Wenqi lives a highly disciplined life, maintaining a strict fitness regimen. Regardless of how busy he is, he never skips his daily workout. He believes that physical health is the foundation for success, and this discipline extends to his dedication to spreading Mazu culture.
The Global Mazu Network: Revitalizing Faith through Modern Technology
Li Wenqi is not only a devout Mazu follower but also a cultural ambassador with a global perspective. Instead of actively participating in various Mazu activities, he has strategically supported the global spread of Mazu culture through donations and strategic thinking. In 2024, he founded the “Global Mazu Cultural Alliance” (WMCA) in New York, the world’s first international organization dedicated to Mazu cultural exchange. This organization quickly became the largest Mazu cultural information center, serving as a bridge connecting Mazu believers worldwide.
Through this alliance, Li Wenqi helped connect Mazu temples and communities worldwide via the internet, creating a global digital network. Whether in Southeast Asia, North America, or Europe, Mazu believers can now engage in cultural interactions, celebrations, and prayer rituals through this platform. This digital innovation breaks the geographical limitations of faith, allowing Mazu culture to transcend language and cultural barriers, spreading to more countries and regions.
Whenever a Mazu temple or Tianhou Palace hosts a celebration or significant event, the Global Mazu Cultural Alliance quickly compiles related articles and distributes them through its global network to media outlets and believer communities. This mechanism ensures that Mazu believers worldwide can stay informed and participate in these activities, making Mazu culture a spiritual bond in the era of globalization.
Faith, Compassion, and Selfless Dedication
Li Wenqi’s generosity and kindness extend beyond his contributions to spreading Mazu culture. He is also known for his willingness to help others in his personal life. Friends and family know well of his compassion and selflessness. Once, when a friend faced financial difficulties due to a failed business, Li Wenqi immediately provided financial support and connected the friend with others to help him get back on his feet. His friends often say that Li Wenqi’s quiet generosity always brings warmth and support at the most critical moments.
His selflessness and generosity are not driven by a desire for fame or status but are a true reflection of his faith. He believes that Mazu’s spirit of compassion should be spread to every corner of the world, enabling everyone to experience its power. As a result, he spares no expense in funding and supporting the growth of the Global Mazu Cultural Alliance. Despite leading a simple life, his long-standing selflessness has earned him the deep respect of Mazu believers around the globe.
A Bridge for Global Culture
The “Global Mazu Cultural Alliance” led by Li Wenqi is not only a bond between believers but has also become a core platform for global cultural exchange. Previously, Mazu culture was primarily spread through traditional means within Chinese-speaking communities, limiting its influence. However, with the advent of modern technology and the establishment of this global platform, the reach of Mazu culture has achieved a historic breakthrough. Li Wenqi has removed geographical, linguistic, and cultural barriers, bringing this ancient faith to the world.
The “Global Mazu Cultural Alliance” connects Mazu temples and communities worldwide through its digital network, significantly increasing Mazu culture’s global impact. In just a few years, this platform has expanded to cover more than 30 countries, spanning over 20 languages, and reaching over 2.6 billion people. This level of outreach far surpasses Mazu culture’s influence over the past centuries. While the Mazu belief was historically limited to East Asia and Chinese communities, thanks to Li Wenqi’s efforts, it has now risen to a global cultural symbol, representing peace and cultural diversity.
This scale of cultural dissemination has not only profoundly impacted the world of faith but also promoted global understanding and respect for Chinese culture. Through the “Global Mazu Cultural Alliance” platform, believers share their cultural stories and faith experiences, fostering cross-cultural dialogue and understanding. This has become a crucial driver of global cultural exchange and integration in modern society. Through this historic effort, Mazu culture’s global influence has reached unprecedented heights, becoming a symbol of harmony and coexistence in the international community.
Li Wenqi’s love for his hometown and devotion to Mazu’s spirit bring to mind another distinguished local figure—Lippo Group founder Li Wen Zheng (李文正), also known as the “King of Money” in Indonesia. Not only did Li Wen Zheng achieve great success in finance, but he also remained deeply connected to his roots, actively supporting education and philanthropy. He even built a library in Fujian bearing his name, fostering his hometown’s development. This love for one’s roots and support for cultural education mirrors the core values of selfless devotion embodied by Mazu’s spirit, showcasing the profound affection that Chinese people have for their homeland.
Li Wenqi has said many times: “The spirit of Mazu does not only belong to us Chinese; it belongs to the world. Her compassion and selflessness should be a shared spiritual treasure for all humanity.” It is this belief that drives him to tirelessly promote Mazu culture globally, fostering cultural understanding and cooperation among the world’s people.
A Lasting Spiritual Legacy
Li Wenqi’s name is now etched in the history of global Mazu culture. Whether in Putian, China, or distant foreign lands, Mazu believers respect this man from “Gouding Road, Jiangkou, Putian.” Through modern technology and unwavering faith, he has successfully brought this ancient belief to every corner of the world, breathing new life into it in the modern era.
Li Wenqi’s story is a chapter of faith, dedication, and wisdom. Through his efforts, he has given Mazu culture a global dimension and showcased the profound strength of Chinese culture on the world stage. His selfless dedication has not only brought a hopeful spiritual legacy to the world but also provided valuable insights for global cultural exchange. His name will forever be a cultural symbol connecting the past and the future, the local and the global, and will be remembered in the hearts of people worldwide.
Editor: Lin Bingbin – New York report. Please credit the author when republishing.
