A tea expo is underway in China's capital Beijing, having emerged not just as a celebration of tea, but also as a vibrant platform for showcasing intangible cultural heritage.
"Running at a time of the solar term Grain Rain, the last term in spring, which starts on Sunday, April 20, the expo should go beyond just the tea products itself and illustrate the intangible cultural heritage involved in the tea industry," stated Zhai Huqu, Honorary President of the China Association for the Promotion of International Agricultural Cooperation.
Zhai called this concept a sort of "cultural crossover," emphasizing its role as one of the core driving forces behind the development of the tea industry, during the expo's opening ceremony on Friday.
The West Lake Longjing tea growing areas sent their representatives for dynamic demonstrations of their skilled techniques, from selecting tea leaves and pouring water to serving the tea, which were practiced with precision and fluidity.
West Lake Longjing tea, known for its vibrant green color, rich aroma, sweet taste and beautiful appearance, has won the hearts of many tea lovers in China.
Tea enthusiasts interact with the representatives from the West Lake Longjing tea growing areas in east China's Zhejiang Province on Friday, the opening day of the 18th Beijing International Tea and Tea Ceremony Exhibition on April 18, 2025./Photo provided to CGTN
According to a manager of the West Lake Longjing tea exhibition group, this year's arrangement of having ten heritage practitioners demonstrate together at the expo allows traditional tea-making techniques to be integrated into modern life, and further to disseminate these skills, ensuring they remain vibrant and alive.
A similar "living inheritance" activity was showcased at the Fuzhou jasmine tea exhibition zone. National-level heritage inheritor Wang Dexing performed the "jasmine flower blending into tea" technique, engaging with tea enthusiasts from Beijing and illustrating the charm and vitality of the skill.
The ongoing tea expo will run until April 21, lasting a total of four days, with over 700 exhibitors.
More than 10 core tea growing areas in China have organized their respective delegations for the expo, which is also seen as a platform for overseas tea traders, including one from Sri Lanka.
In 2024, China's tea output reached a record high of 3.74 million tons, marking a 5.5 percent increase compared to the previous year.