To mark the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to China, the "UniTea: Macao Tea Melody" event was held at Beijing International Sculpture Park. Organized by CGTN and CRI Online, the event united global tea enthusiasts, using tea as a bridge for cultural exchange.

Leong Kit Chi, Chief of the Macao SAR Government Office in Beijing, and Abdelkader El Ansari, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to China, were among the dignitaries who delivered video messages for the event. Leong emphasized Macao's historical significance as a key port on the Maritime Silk Road, facilitating the global export of Chinese tea. She also highlighted Macao's role as a cultural hub, bridging Chinese and Western civilizations and promoting Chinese tea culture worldwide.

Ambassador El Ansari underscored Morocco's importance as a major destination for Chinese tea exports, noting that Moroccan mint tea – made from Chinese green tea, sugar and mint leaves – is a national drink and a daily necessity for Moroccan people. Additionally, the ambassadors of Argentina and Türkiye to China, as well as the Senior Counsellor of the Embassy of Georgia in China, also conveyed their best wishes for the event through video messages.

The "UniTea: Macao Tea Melody" event featured a vlog showcasing a Macao restaurant, which demonstrated how the region is reimagining traditional Chinese tea culture with new flavors and innovative interpretations. A short video titled "The Journey of a Tea Leaf" highlighted the deep connection between Chinese tea and Morocco, one of the world's major tea consumers. In Moroccan households, it is customary to serve visitors three cups of fragrant mint tea, a gesture symbolizing hospitality and warmth.

Other highlights of the event included demonstrations of the popular kung fu tea ceremony, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of China's Greater Bay Area. There were also flower arranging sessions using the lotus, the official flower of the Macau Special Administrative Region, and enchanting performances on the ancient guqin instrument.

A particularly notable moment that captured the imagination of guests was a unique competition between a tea master and an AI tea-brewing machine. This innovative showdown not only exhibited the precision and convenience of modern technology but also served as a poignant reminder of how irreplaceable artistry and human touch are integral to the tea ceremony. "The tea ceremony is not just about the tea; it's about the exchange of ideas, the sharing of stories, and the celebration of our common humanity," remarked one guest. "While technology can certainly make our lives easier, it's the human spirit that gives tea its true flavor and meaning."

As the event concluded, attendees were gifted with bespoke CGTN tea passports, echoing the project's theme "UniTea," symbolizing unity through the shared culture of tea. The celebration of Macao's anniversary became not just a commemoration of the past but also a testament to the region's vibrant present and promising future, where development and humanity coexist in a delicate and enriching balance.