Explainer | How China police use Mazu deity to mediate disputes with remarkable success
An old Chinese saying goes, ‘There are gods three feet above your head’, which means ‘God is watching’
Police stations in southeastern China have invited the sea goddess Mazu to mediate conflicts among locals, proving to be exceptionally effective.
More than 10 police stations in Putian county, within the coastal province of Fujian – where Mazu legends originated – have established mediation rooms in her name since 2019.
A police officer informed the Chinese media outlet Jimu News that the Mazu mediation room has been “very effective” in resolving disputes.
With Mazu’s portrait overseeing the discussions, locals felt discouraged from being dishonest, fostering mutual trust as the public believed that police officers would also remain impartial in her presence.
God is watching
Mazu, known as Tin Hau in Hong Kong, is a sea goddess widely venerated in coastal regions of China and among Chinese communities in countries like Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia.
