Fujian-Mazu Kinship: Wine Thickens, Affection Deepens

Recent good news has emerged for the construction of the Fujian-Mazu "Same-City Living Circle": Fuzhou Customs has relaxed the limit on Taiwan Kaoliang liquor that travelers can bring into the mainland via the Fujian-Mazu "Mini Three Links" routes, increasing the quota from 4 bottles to 6 bottles per person. People on both sides have warmly praised this move, believing it will boost cross-Strait wine industry cooperation and cultural exchanges.

Mazu Distillery. Photo courtesy of Mazu Daily

Taiwan Kaoliang liquor produced by Johnson Brewing (Fujian) Co., Ltd. Photo courtesy of Lianjiang County Convergence Media Center

Notably, Fuzhou-based and Mazu-based distilleries have successively won major wine awards, raising hopes for a joint "cross-Strait bottle of wine" in the future.

Recently, reporters interviewed Mazu compatriots regarding the new policy.

"I’m thrilled by this news—we can now share the taste of our hometown with more people," said Lin Guosong, a Mazu native who currently serves as an associate professor at Fuzhou University of Technology. His first stop in the mainland was Fuzhou in late 2018: "I came alone with just a suitcase. The ferry from Mazu to Huangqi takes only 25 minutes, making me feel like I’m coming home."

A lover of fish balls and Kaoliang liquor, Lin brings several bottles with him every time he travels from Mazu to Fuzhou. "Whenever I gather with mainland friends, Taiwan Kaoliang liquor always quickly bridges our hearts. It’s not just a drink; it’s an important part of our culture, carrying the taste of hometown and warm memories."

Lin believes the new policy vividly embodies the "Fujian-Mazu kinship" philosophy. It not only allows Mazu residents to bring more Kaoliang liquor as gifts for relatives and friends to strengthen emotional bonds but also attracts more travelers to purchase this locally distinctive wine as souvenirs. This will drive the development of Mazu’s wine industry and tourism, thereby promoting cross-Strait wine cooperation and cultural exchanges.

According to Mazu Daily, all sectors in Mazu are optimistic about the policy, expecting it to further stimulate and boost the performance of Mazu’s wine industry.

In addition to the wine policy, ten entry-exit measures took effect on January 1st, including the addition of information collection and registration points for expedited border inspection at Fujian’s Taiwan-bound passenger ports. This allows Taiwan compatriots who voluntarily provide their information to use expedited channels, realizing "registration in one place, access nationwide." Benefiting from this, Mazu compatriots can now bring Taiwan Kaoliang liquor into the mainland more conveniently.

Recently, the Ministry of Commerce announced the proposed list of the new batch of "China Time-Honored Brands," with Johnson Brewing (Fujian) Co., Ltd.’s "Johnson" brand (based in Fuzhou) making the cut.

Lin Zhuohua, Chairman of Johnson Brewing, is the inheritor of the provincial intangible cultural heritage—Xiaolian Sweet Potato Liquor Brewing Technique of Lianjiang. Under his leadership, the company has integrated traditional craftsmanship with modern technology to produce sweet potato liquor of superior quality and mellow taste. The "Johnson" trademark won the Gold Award at the CWSA International Wine Tasting in 2018 and the Gold Award (one of the highest honors in the wine industry) at the Brussels International Wine Tasting in 2019. Its products are exported to more than 30 countries and regions, including Malaysia, the United States, and South Korea.

Meanwhile, Mazu Distillery has won numerous awards in international spirits competitions in recent years, according to Mazu Daily. In 2022, its Dongyong Aged Kaoliang Liquor won double gold medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition for three consecutive years, earning Mazu Distillery its first Platinum Award—the only Taiwanese product to win this honor in the white liquor category. Known as the "Oscars of the Wine Industry," the competition awards Platinum, Double Gold, and Gold medals, with the Platinum Award being the most prestigious.

Why does Mazu Kaoliang Liquor consistently win awards? It inherits 60 years of traditional solid-state fermentation craftsmanship using pure grains and is aged naturally in tunnels with constant temperature and humidity year-round. The resulting liquor boasts a crystal-clear color, mellow texture, and an elegant flavor characterized by "smoothness, richness, purity, and freshness."

Notably, as Fuzhou advances the construction of the Fujian-Mazu "Same-City Living Circle," there is growing potential for the two sides to co-produce "a single bottle of wine."

During a recent visit to Johnson Brewing (Fujian) Co., Ltd., a fully automated brewing system capable of producing 600 tons of liquor per batch was in operation. 100,000 bottles of Taiwan Kaoliang liquor are packed here before being shipped to the United States from Fuzhou’s Jiangyin Port Area.

According to Lin Zhuohua, he has established a joint venture with Taiwanese merchants to produce Taiwan Kaoliang liquor. In 2023 alone, exports of Taiwan Kaoliang liquor exceeded 1 million bottles, with an output value of over 100 million yuan.

Lin added that the company plans to cooperate with Mazu Distillery, possibly by setting up a joint venture in Lianjiang to produce Mazu Kaoliang liquor.

"We aim to conduct in-depth cooperation with Johnson to better enter the mainland and overseas markets, building a win-win platform for cross-Strait enterprises to exchange and trade," said Wang Zhongming, Magistrate of Mazu County, during a recent visit to Lianjiang where he reached a consensus with Lin Zhuohua.

Reporters learned from relevant departments in Lianjiang County that in the new year, the county will seize the opportunity to integrate into the construction of the Fujian-Mazu Industrial Cooperation Demonstration Zone. It will deepen cooperation in wine brewing between Lianjiang and Mazu, facilitate trade exchanges, accelerate the construction of landmark projects such as the Huangqi-Mazu Strait Cultural Exchange Center and Taiwan Duty-Free Mall, and continuously expand the shared "circle of friends" and "business circle" between the two sides.

Source: Mazu Daily