On December 18th, the Industrial Bank Putian Branch held the Industrial Mazu Card release ceremony on Meizhou Island in Putian. The event was graced by several dignitaries: Chen Huiqian, Standing Committee Member and Minister of Propaganda Department of Putian City, Hong Piba, President of the Fujian Management Department of Industrial Bank, Wu Haiduan, Secretary of the Party Working Committee of Meizhou Island, Hong Jie, Vice Chairman of the Fujian Federation of Industry and Commerce and Chairman & President of SKSHU (“3TREES”) Paint Co., Ltd., Lin Jinzan, Vice President of the Chinese Mazu Cultural Exchange Association and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Mazu Ancestral Temple in Meizhou, Putian, Zheng Youqi, President of the Industrial Bank Putian Branch, along with nearly 300 guests from various sectors, witnessed the unveiling of the Mazu Card.
The Mazu culture, which originated in Putian, Fujian, is an important part of China’s excellent traditional culture. In September 2009, “Mazu belief and customs” was inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. With Mazu belief as its core, the Mazu culture encompasses Mazu temples, rituals, legendary stories, literature, and arts. It has not only spread widely in mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan but also has been transmitted to various parts of the world through the footsteps of overseas Chinese. It serves as an important cultural bond for the Chinese nation to connect with the world through maritime routes. It also promotes mutual understanding and integration between the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, facilitates people-to-people connectivity, cultural exchanges, and shared development among countries and regions participating in the Belt and Road Initiative.
General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out the importance of carrying forward the Chinese cultural heritage, promoting the creative transformation and innovative development of Chinese excellent traditional culture. In recent years, Fujian Province has vigorously inherited and promoted the important concepts and significant practices initiated by General Secretary Xi Jinping during his work in Fujian. The province has conscientiously implemented Xi Jinping’s cultural ideology and organized diverse cultural activities to promote the Mazu culture as a “Fujian Business Card” that reaches out to the world.
“Industrial Bank originated from Fujian and has its roots in Fujian. The launch of the Mazu Card aligns with the 'finance plus culture' development model. We aim to promote Chinese excellent traditional culture, support the inheritance and innovation of Mazu culture, and reach out to the world.” said the person in charge of the Fujian Management Department of Industrial Bank.
The Mazu Card released this time includes two types of cards: debit cards and credit cards. Among them, the first batch of debit cards, known as the Gold Card, features the elements of the revered Mazu and the auspicious golden cloud symbolizing peace as the primary elements, with an overall design that is dignified and elegant. The Gold Card and the credit card feature a cartoon-like image of Mazu as the main element, symbolizing safety and harmony. Using the card can provide cardholders with a richer aesthetic experience and a deeper cultural satisfaction.
Industrial Bank will use the Mazu Card as a bridge to actively build a consumption and other scenarios ecosystem around cultural benefits for the people and citizens’ lives. It will incorporate application features such as E-CNY, providing diverse services such as payment settlement, customer referrals, and exclusive privileges. This aims to make customers’ experiences more convenient, enrich the financial ecology, and promote a deeper and wider cultural inheritance.
It is worth mentioning that the card also carries a philanthropic aspect. Specifically, for every issuance of the IB Mazu Card, Industrial Bank will make a directed donation to the Mazu Charity Foundation in the name of the cardholder. Subsequently, cardholders can, based on their personal preference, convert the loyalty points from the IB Mazu Card into donations, embodying the spirit of kindness and participating in the practice of benevolence.
Culture sets the stage, in which finance performs. Industrial Bank will also continue to explore and actively build a scenario ecosystem, enriching the financial products based on National Trend (Guochao) culture and IP. Meanwhile providing diverse and high-quality financial services, it will also inherit and promote excellent Chinese culture.