Tea is a representative symbol of Chinese traditional culture and an important Chinese element in the history of Sino-foreign exchanges, and an important way for the world to understand China more. From the ancient Silk Road, the Ancient Tea Horse Road, and the Ancient Tea Boat Road, to the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, the fragrance of tea travels through history and the tea culture connects the past and the present, winning the love from all over the world.
A small piece of tea carries the history of human communication, from the first World Expo in 1851 to the present, 170 years of history, and what are the stories with Chinese tea? Let us go through the tunnel of time and space to explore the important footprints of Chinese tea in the Expo in the long history.
In 1851, the first World Expo in London, England
Xu Rongcun, a Guangdong businessman who trades tea and silk in Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shanghai, sent 12 packets of "Hu Silk" to participate in the exhibition, which was judged by the Expo and ranked first. Queen Victoria gave a gold medal and a silver medal, and gave a "Wing Fei Foreigner" license, allowing "Hu Silk" to enter the British market. This is the first time that a Chinese product has won a gold medal at the World Expo. This tea merchant is also known as "the first person in China's World Expo."
In 1915, Panama Pacific Universal Exposition
At the Panama World Expo, more than 1,000 tea varieties from China participated in the exhibition, including tea from Jiangxi, Hunan, and Fujian. This is the time that China has won the most medals in the history of the World Expo. According to the Records of China's Participation in the Panama Pacific Expo by the National Library of China and the Summary of the Panama Pacific International Exposition: At this World Expo, Chinese tea was hailed as "beautiful in quality and best in the world".
In 2010, Shanghai World Expo
Ten famous teas, as representatives of the Chinese tea industry, entered the United Nations Pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo. Famous teas such as Qimen black tea, West Lake Longjing, Fuding white tea, Hunan black tea, Duyun Maojian received more than 3.2 million visitors in 184 days, setting a record of more than 2.8 million tastings.
2015, China Tea Culture Week at Expo Milano
During the World Expo Tea Culture Week, 20 of China’s most powerful public tea brands and 50 corporate brands, as well as the Chinese University Student Tea Art Troupe, staged a show of oriental food aesthetics in Milan with the theme of "Chinese Tea in China Story" Cultural show!
Chinese tea, from the "first appearance" of the first London World Expo in 1851 to the "brilliant appearance" of the Panama International Exposition in 1915, to the "leading role" of the 2010 Shanghai World Expo, to the "world's attention" of the 2015 Milan World Expo, Chinese tea Gradually play a pivotal role in the world.
In October this year, the World Expo will be held in Dubai, UAE, with the theme of "Communicating Thoughts and Creating the Future". This is the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East. It is expected to receive 25 million tourists during the Expo. In addition to the "China National Pavilion", this World Expo has added a new national-level venue "Chinese Culture Center" under the supervision of the Chinese Culture Promotion Association to spread the excellent Chinese culture to the world.
In October 2020, the Chinese Culture Center established the Chinese Tea Culture (Tea Industry) Special Committee of the Chinese Culture Center of the Dubai World Expo with the theme of "One Thousand Years of a Leaf · Sharing a Cup of Chinese Tea with the World". It will also organize outstanding Chinese tea companies to participate in the Dubai World Expo in the UAE. , To share Chinese good tea with the world.
2021 is the first year of the "14th Five-Year Plan". With the national "dual cycle" strategy, industrial integration and brand empowerment have become the strongest voices in the new era. It is of great significance to build a pillar industry for rural revitalization." The Dubai World Expo will be the best opportunity for Chinese tea to expand into the international market and showcase Chinese tea brands to the world. It is also a fulcrum for Chinese tea to create an "external circular economy".