From February 12 to 16, Ma Hongtao, Director-General of Agricultural Trade Promotion Center, MARA, China went to Fujian province to investigate local tea industry and started this year's preparation for International Tea Day.

During a trip to Nanping in southwestern Fujian province, Ma Hongtao visited the eco-friendly tea garden at Wuyi Mountain, where President Xi called for efforts to promote tea culture, and develop tea industry. Ma Hongtao mentioned that International Tea Day is the first global celebration plartform initiated by China in agriculture field, and Wuyi Mountain is the birthplace of oolong tea and black tea. "More local tea brands and stories should be spread to the international market through the platform of International Tea Day and Nanping could be the bellwether", She said.

Ma Hongtao also visited Jianzhan Cultural and Creative Park to learn more about the history, techniques and marketing strategies of Jianzhan Kiln. She pointed out that teaware is an important part of Chinese tea culture. Jianzhan Kiln had witnessed the changes of Chinese tea and regained vitality in the new era. It is a vivid carrier to better present China and spread tea culture.

Fuding, located in the northeastern of Fujian province, is rich in white tea. In Fuding, Ma Hongtao communicated with representatives of municipal government and local enterprises. Fuding White Tea had ushered in a new brand opportunity, as the separate tariff code for white tea had been added, accompanied by the unique tea processing techniques listing in UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Fuding had accelerated its development in the process of building itself into a "world white tea center".