A series of activities to mark the International Tea Day, which falls on May 21 annually, kicked off in Chaozhou, Guangdong province, which is renowned as "China's hometown of tea."

Activities are held to mark International Tea Day on May 21. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The activities, hosted by the Guangdong Provincial Government and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, aim to promote traditional Chinese tea culture, deepen the interconnection and mutual learning of domestic and foreign tea cultures, as well as advance the development of the domestic tea industry and tea culture.

In addition to the opening ceremony, a Chaozhou kungfu tea feast was held along Dongmen Street, with attendees sitting in bamboo chairs and drinking kungfu tea. The "100 counties gather for celebration" activity was carried out to advance the construction of the "12221" marketing system for the tea industry in Guangdong.

A Chaozhou kungfu tea feast is held along Dongmen Street. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

An exhibition and a challenge competition took place to promote the major tea varieties in the province, as well as to showcase the characteristic and industrialized production of Chaozhou phoenix single cluster tea. The 2022 Chaozhou Kung Fu Tea Conference was also held to promote tea, utensils, food, tourism, and other competitive industries in Chaozhou.

Performances at the opening ceremony. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Chaozhou is one of the four major oolong tea producing areas in China and is the birthplace of kungfu tea culture. In 2014, Chaozhou phoenix single cluster tea culture was listed among the second batch of China's nationally important agricultural heritages, being the first of its kind in Guangdong.

International Tea Day was set up in 2019. Since 2020, relevant activities have been carried out on the day by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs to advance Chinese tea culture.