The United Nations celebrates International Tea Day

The fragrance of Longjing tea filled a hall at the United Nations headquarters in New York on Thursday evening, as diplomats, UN officials and guests gathered to celebrate International Tea Day with a ceremony highlighting Chinese tea culture and sustainable development.

The event was hosted by the Permanent Mission of China to the United Nations and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of East China's Zhejiang province.

In 2019, the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution designating May 21 as International Tea Day.

Addressing the ceremony, Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the UN, said China is the birthplace of tea and Zhejiang is home to the renowned Longjing tea.

Fu said Zhejiang became one of China's key engines of economic growth after the country's reform and opening-up, though rapid industrial expansion also brought environmental challenges in some areas.

He said Zhejiang later adopted the philosophy that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets", promoting ecological restoration and greener cultivation methods in core Longjing tea-producing regions.

"Today, this philosophy — that green is gold — has become a nationwide commitment across China," Fu said. "Economic growth and environmental protection are no longer an either-or choice, but mutually reinforcing priorities."

Fu also introduced China's rural revitalization experience, citing Zhejiang as an example. The province launched the Green Rural Revival Program to improve rural living environments and foster what is now known as the "beautiful economy".

Using Longjing tea as a pillar industry, local communities developed tea tourism towns and integrated industrial chains combining tea cultivation, processing, tourism and entrepreneurship, he said.

Fu noted that technological advances, including robotic harvesting, drone delivery, smart processing and e-commerce platforms, have further improved tea production and increased rural incomes.

"In Zhejiang's Longjing tea-producing regions, whether in upgrading rural infrastructure, improving the ecological environment of tea plantations, or managing tea cooperatives, a people-centered approach has remained at the heart of development," he said.

Fu said local villages and towns established platforms such as tea garden forums and people's livelihood councils to encourage democratic consultation at the community level and ensure residents shared in development benefits.

He said the "green is gold" philosophy and the Green Rural Revival Program represent not only successful paths for China, but also "a vivid example of implementing the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development", adding that he hoped such practices could offer inspiration to other countries.

Fu also highlighted the Global Development Initiative, saying China would continue supporting implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Navid Hanif, assistant secretary-general of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, echoed the theme of balancing development and environmental protection.

"Economic progress and environmental stewardship are not competing goals. You don't need to pollute now and clean up later," Hanif said.

He described tea as "a story of sustainability", saying healthy soil, clean water and biodiversity are essential foundations for tea cultivation.

Hanif also said initiatives such as Zhejiang's Green Rural Revival Program demonstrated how ecological protection, rural revitalization and economic opportunity can advance together.

On the Global Development Initiative, Hanif said it "reflects this understanding — that development must be greener, more inclusive and more connected to the needs of people and planet".

Laura Lasselles, permanent representative of Uruguay to the United Nations, also attended the ceremony and delivered a speech.

Lasselles said tea is "far more than a commodity", describing it as "a lifeline for millions of families across developing countries".

She pointed to persistent structural challenges facing tea-producing countries, including price volatility, unequal value distribution and limited access to finance and technology.

Lasselles also praised Zhejiang's development experience, saying it demonstrated that environmental sustainability and rural prosperity are "mutually reinforcing".

The event also featured tea presentations and performances by tea masters from Zhejiang Tea Group.

During the ceremony, presenters introduced the history of Jingshan tea culture in Hangzhou and the traditional Chinese whisked tea technique known as diancha, which flourished during the Song Dynasty (960-1279).

They explained how tea culture spread across Asia through historical exchanges, becoming "a bridge connecting cultures, people and shared traditions".

Tea artist Sun Ji demonstrated a traditional West Lake Longjing gaiwan tea ceremony, guiding guests through steps including warming the tea vessels, appreciating the tea leaves, awakening the tea with water and serving the tea evenly among guests.

"Tea stands for impartiality. Every cup is treated the same, with no bias between guests," Sun said during the presentation.

The ceremony concluded with guests tasting Longjing tea and viewing cultural exhibitions celebrating Zhejiang's tea heritage. More than 200 UN officials, diplomats and representatives attended the event.