An event on Chinese tea culture was recently held in Madrid, Spain. Maojian green tea from Xinyang city, central China's Henan Province was promoted during the event, receiving a warm response from the guests.

Lyu Lyu, deputy mayor of the Xinyang Municipal People's Government, He Yong, minister counselor from the Chinese Embassy in Spain, Yang Changqing, director of the China Cultural Center in Madrid, Harry Hwang, the Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific at the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), and directors of six departments, along with nearly 50 officials from the UNWTO, attended the event.

Harry Hwang, the Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific at the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), speaks at the event.

In 2019, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted a resolution to designate May 21 as International Tea Day, and in 2022, traditional Chinese tea-making techniques and related customs were included in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List, said Hwang.

Tea has changed from a simple beverage to a cultural symbol of Chinese civilization and a bridge connecting the world. The event will not only promote exchanges between Chinese tea culture and the global tourism industry, but also enhance the cooperation between China and the UNWTO, he added.

Lyu Lyu, deputy mayor of the Xinyang Municipal People's Government, speaks at the event.

Tea is a valuable treasure of Chinese culture and an important carrier for exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations, said Lyu, expressing the hope that this event can make Maojian green tea known in the world. On behalf of the Xinyang Municipal People's Government, Lyu presented Maojian green tea as a gift to the UNWTO.

Officials from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) taste Maojian green tea.

In the afternoon of the same day, a gathering aimed at promoting Maojiao green tea was held at the China Cultural Center in Madrid. Nearly 100 people participated, including those from the Spanish Ministry of Culture and Sport, the Community of Madrid, the political, academic and cultural circles, and media outlets.

A performance featuring traditional Chinese dance and tea art was staged, vividly showcasing tea-making procedures through dance. The guests warmly applauded the performance.

During a tea culture salon, four guests discussed such topics as tea culture, tea elements, food made with tea, and tea as a lifestyle.

Marcelo Munoz, president of the think tank Cátedra China, shared his stories of and insights into tea which took place over the course of nearly 50 years when he did business with China.

Xiao Junjing, a young inheritor of Maojian green tea making technique, shared her personal insights into tea culture and tea as a lifestyle, as well as the inheritance of tea culture in China among young people.

On June 9, an event was held for Maojian green tea at Saddle, a Michelin-starred restaurant in Madrid. The Chinese tea was used as an ingredient in several dishes served at the restaurant. Adolfo Santos García, the restaurant's chef, designed a special menu featuring Maojian green tea. Each dish in the menu paired well with Maojian green tea, showing a fusion of Chinese tea and foreign ingredients.

(Source: People's Daily Online)