A statement from Zhanjiang Economic and Technological Development Zone Administrative Committee

After a folk activity of Mazu parade held in Shishi village, Zhanjiang in South China's Guangdong Province has attracted widespread attention from netizens, the local government published a statement on Sunday, addressing online speculations including capital intervention to replace a girl with a boy in the rituals, and the sedan chair could not be lifted. 

According to Zhanjiang Economic and Technological Development Zone Administrative Committee, on February 18, 2026 - the second day of the Chinese New Year, some villagers of Shishi village voluntarily organized a Mazu parade within the village to create a New Year atmosphere. Mazu is the deified form of the historical Lin Mo, a shamaness who lived in the 10th century on Meizhou Island in East China's Fujian Province. Revered after her death as a patron of seafarers, including fishermen and sailors, her worship spread throughout China's coastal regions and Chinese communities throughout Southeast Asia.

Per the official statement, before the parade started, a 10-year-old girl named Xu Mouhan was brought by her family to the scene. When Xu Mouhan saw the parade sedan chair, she wanted to climb onto it. Her family failed to dissuade her and let her board the sedan chair. 

According to local customs, Xu Mouhan, who boarded the parade sedan chair, was then regarded as a "new child"— a role in the parade. Meanwhile, Xu Moulan, 17, who had long been regarded as the "child," came to the scene later and saw Xu Mouhan already on the sedan chair, which triggered a brief dispute. Xu Moulan was unwilling to parade with the "new child" and later returned home accompanied by her father. 

Xu Moulan has participated in the village's parade activities since 2021 and has been recognized by many villagers. Therefore, when the parade team passed her home, the villagers organizing the folk activities entered her home multiple times to invite and persuade her. With the consent of her family, Xu Moulan finally boarded the parade sedan chair and completed the subsequent parade ceremony together with Xu Mouhan until the activity ended.

Regarding the claim of "capital intervention to replace the child," through verification, it was found out that this parade activity was spontaneously funded and organized by the villagers. A total of 230 people (households) donated, with a cumulative donation amounting 55,812 yuan ($8,048). Among them, the highest individual donation was 3,000 yuan, and the lowest was 100 yuan. At present, no other individuals or enterprises have been found to sponsor this activity.

Regarding the claim that the family of the "new child" spent 500,000 yuan to "replace the child," investigation verified that Xu Mouhan is from an ordinary family. Both her father and her mother  make a living by doing odd jobs. Her family donated 200 yuan in this event, and her family members were not found to receive other funding.

Responding to the claim that the "new child" is the "village chief's grandson," it is verified that Xu Mouhan's grandfather passed away in 1993, and none of her immediate relatives have ever served as village officials. As Xu Mouhan has short hair, she was rumored online to be a boy.

Online rumors also included "nine failed attempts at throwing the holy grail" and "the sedan chair could not to be lifted." The government statement stated that no throwing of holy grail was held during the parade. The parade sedan chair is equipped with wheels and pushed by manpower. When the sedan chair passed Xu Moulan's home, people stopped pushing it only to wait for her to board and participate in the parade; there was no situation where "the sedan chair could not be lifted."

The government release also dismissed online rumor that Xu Moulan was beaten.

Local government expressed appreciation to general netizens for their attention and vowed to strengthen the guidance and management of folk activities in accordance with laws and regulations, advocate a civilized rural custom, and ensure that folk activities are carried out in a healthy, smooth and orderly manner.

Global Times