Ma congratulates the arrival of Wudang's Xuan Wu statue in Taiwan

Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou extended congratulations on the arrival of the Xuan Wu statue from the Wudang Mountains on Oct 29, when the statue visited Shouzhen Temple on Alishan Mountain.

The Xuan Wu statue of the Wudang Mountains, Hubei province, receives a warm welcome at Shouzhen Temple, Alishan Mountain, Taiwan, on Oct 29, 2014. [Photo/wudangshan.gov.cn]

The statue of Xuan Wu, one of the highest-ranking Taoist deities, started a tour around Taiwan on Oct 15 with the hope of bringing luck and prosperity to both Wudang and Taiwan.

Lien Chan, Kuomintang (KMT) Party chairman, also wrote an inscription for the event – "Common Prosperity for Both Sides."

During Xuan Wu's visit to Shouzhen Temple, the sun and moon shone together in the sky, which was believed to be a symbol of good fortune for Taiwan people.

Shouzhen Temple is the highest temple in Taiwan. A welcoming ceremony was held in the temple on the same day with various brilliant performances, such as Wudang kung fu, songs, and dances of the Puyuma Taiwan aboriginal tribe and Amis tribe.

The photo taken on Oct 29, 2014, shows a kung fu performance of the Wudang Mountains staged in Shouzhen Temple in Taiwan during a welcoming ceremony to greet the arrival of the Xuan Wu statue. [Photo/wudangshan.gov.cn]

Wudang and Taiwan has maintained a close relationship despite the far distance. Xuan Wu's tour is aimed at further enhancing the friendship between the two sides and propelling their cooperation.

The photo taken on Oct 29, 2014, shows a folk dance of the Taiwan aboriginal tribe presented in Shouzhen Temple in Taiwan during a welcoming ceremony to greet the arrival of Wudang's Xuan Wu statue. [Photo/wudangshan.gov.cn]

Contributed by Wang Liang and Jiang Yuanbo from Wudang Mountains Tourism Bureau