China celebrates International Tea Day 2023 under the theme of "Tea and World, Sharing and Enjoying" across the country. More than 20 provinces which are either tea producing area or the places with long history of tea drinking have organized a variety of celebrations.  

This year’s celebration event on national level has been held in Ankang City of Shaanxi Province, hosted by Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, PRC and Shaanxi Provincial People's Government. Ankang City which is one of the earliest tea producing regions in the world, has become well-known for getting its people out of poverty by boosting the local tea industry in recent years.  

The diplomats and representatives of international organizations in China have been invited to take part in series of activities in the local. In "Tea and Ambassadors", the guests enjoys fragrant tea accompanied by specific tea performances. The freshness of Ankang's selenium-rich tea, the aroma of Fuzhou jasmine tea, and the mellow of Hunan Junshan silver needle tea have shown colorful Chinese tea world. "I tried some tea from China, but I think this green tea is softer you know. Chinese tea is marvelous", says CARLOS CRISTOBAL APARA ABUMOHOR, Debuty Chief of Mission Embassy of Chile to China. "I am excited about these tea, because I never tried. For example, the jasmine tea in China is really delicious", says CARLA KARINA CARDENAS BATALLAS, Counselor of Mission Embassy of Ecuador in China.  

In the tour around the tea garden in Pingli County, the tea farmers are busy in picking up tea leaves. The beautiful ecological environment together with advanced technology, "This will be a harvest season." one local farmer says and calls for his companions to sing a laboring song to the guests. "The tea garden is beautiful. This is my first time to visit tea garden in China. Chinese people’s hardworking on the hills has moved me so much", says DAVID DENG AGUEK, Minister Plenipotentiary Embassy of South Sudan in China.  

"Tea and World, Sharing and Enjoying is the common vision for people around the world", Ms. Ma Hongtao, the Director-General of Agricultural Trade Promotion Center, MARA, PRC says, when the first publication for International Tea Day has been launched on the opening ceremony. This book will help readers learn more about tea and its culture, in the hope of making more people fall in love with tea, and relish lives accompanied by tea. 

Recognizing the long history and the cultural and economic significance of tea around the world, as well as the significant role it plays in rural development, poverty reduction and food security in developing countries, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed May 21 as International Tea Day. China is the largest tea producer and the largest tea market in the world. In 2022, China produced 3.18 million tons of tea, consumed 2.4 million tons and exported 380,000 tons. And nearly 30 million people in the country are engaged in tea production and processing. The celebrations in China not only enhance friendship of tea enthusiasts worldwide, but also explore the intrinsic link between tea and human development, and seek common development and a shared future.