On October 25, 2024, the Cross-Strait Tea Culture Exchange Conference was held in Chibi, Hubei, just before the opening of the 18th Hubei-Wuhan Taiwan Week. The event gathered over 100 participants, including experts, scholars, tea industry representatives, tea enthusiasts, and representatives from Taiwanese enterprises and youth across the strait.
The theme of this year’s gathering, “Tea Harmony in a Global Context, Uniting the Two Sides,” focused on leveraging tea as a medium to foster closer ties among tea businesses from both sides of the Taiwan Strait. The goal was to create new opportunities for collaboration and exchange within the tea industry.
Chibi’s Yanglou Cave is renowned as the birthplace of Chinese green brick tea, often celebrated as the source of the ancient Tea Road. As green brick tea evolves from a simple beverage into a variety of artisanal products, the conference featured an impressive tea dyeing demonstration by the tea culture creative team from Chibi City Vocational Education Group, captivating attendees and encouraging them to engage with the craft.
Throughout the two-hour event, various thematic activities unfolded, including “Tea’s Elegance,” “Tea Affinities,” “Tea Joys,” and “Tea Appointments.” Participants engaged in theme-based salons, tea art performances, and tea appreciation sessions, deepening the cultural exchange between the two regions.
A representative from Hubei Province’s Taiwan Affairs Office remarked that Hubei is a significant tea-producing area with a rich history of tea culture. In recent years, the province has made significant strides in developing its tea industry, transitioning from a major producer to a powerhouse in the sector. Despite the distinct characteristics of their respective tea cultures, tea serves as a common thread that unites tea enthusiasts across the Taiwan Strait and strengthens emotional connections between the people. Hubei will continue to uphold the philosophy of “Two Sides Are One Family,” respecting and supporting Taiwanese compatriots, and working diligently to help them thrive in the province, creating a better life for themselves.
