The 2024 Chinese Tea Ceremony took place on Tuesday at the China Cultural Center in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city.
Organized by the Chinese Tourism Promoters in collaboration with the China Cultural Center, the event attracted notable personalities, including Yang Jianxing, Cultural Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria; Ireti Kingibe, Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory; Prof. Olufolake AbdulRazaq, First Lady of Kwara State; government officials, traditional rulers, and tourism promoters.
In his opening remarks, Counsellor Yang highlighted China’s rich history with tea, noting that the country is the birthplace of the tea tree and the first to cultivate tea as a beverage over 3,000 years ago.
He explained that the evolution of tea in China has led to the development of six major categories: green, yellow, black, white, oolong, and processed tea.
Yang described the Chinese tea ceremony as an art form that embodies both preparation techniques and a philosophical spirit that promotes moral cultivation and harmony between humans and nature. He noted that tea culture, which originated in China, has spread globally through the Silk Road, becoming a cherished tradition in many countries.
“Recent research indicates that over 50 countries cultivate tea, with more than 120 nations importing it from China. In November 2022, Chinese traditional tea-making techniques and related customs were enlisted by the UNESC0 Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This is not only the pride of the Chinese people, but also worthy of celebration by people who love tea culture around the world,” he said.
The Counsellor expressed gratitude to Phil Roberts, who initiated the event after studying tea culture in China. He noted that the event aims to foster cultural and tourism exchanges between the two nations.
Phil Roberts, President of the Chinese Tourism Promoters, shared his motivation for organizing the ceremony, which stemmed from his experiences in China.
“My goal is to use tea ceremonies to promote unity, strengthen bilateral relationships, and help individuals tap into the economic potential of tea,” he said.
As a certified tea master, Roberts emphasized the importance of understanding the tea ecosystem, which includes the entire value chain from cultivation to consumption.
He also highlighted the health benefits of tea, which range from boosting immunity to alleviating symptoms of ailments like malaria.
“We need to educate people about the healthiness of tea,” he noted.
The event also featured the unveiling of the China-Africa Tourism Expo, which aims to serve as a platform for trade and collaboration in the tourism sector between China and Africa.
“We want to create a space where African innovations meet Chinese expertise,” Roberts added, emphasizing the potential for mutual growth and partnership.
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