Beijing expo showcases tea culture around the world

A tea specialist serves a cup of tea to a visitor during the promotion activity of Mengding tea and Ya'an Tibetan tea at the Beijing International Tea Expo 2016, June 24, 2016. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The Beijing International Tea Expo 2016 was held from June 24 to 27 in Beijing, with the theme of "Ecological manor and healthy life".

Tea enterprises from more than ten countries and regions such as India, Sri Lanka, and South Korea are exhibiting various teas, tea utensils and related products.

Among them, a promotional activity of the Mengding tea and Ya'an Tibetan tea is staged during the expo with traditional performances of face-changing and tea pouring trick.

"China is the home country of tea", Wang Qing, executive vice-chairman of the China Tea Marketing Association said.

Wang introduced that China is now the largest tea consumer in the world. This year, China's tea production will reach 2.4 million tons, and the gross output value of dry raw tea is expected to break through 160 billion yuan ($24.1 billion).

Mengding tea, produced at the Mengshan Mountain in Sichuan province, is one of the ten most famous teas in China, enjoying much fame at home and abroad. The name - Mengshan - means "misty mountain" in Chinese.

Ya'an Tibetan tea, with long history and exquisite techniques, has been listed in the second batch of state-level intangible cultural heritages.