Belt and Road Initiative offers fresh growth opportunities for Wuyi tea

"To truly appreciate tea, one must begin by observing the leaves, then relish the aroma and, finally, savor the flavorful sip," said Zou Yingwen, a tea master from China's Fujian province, describing the art of tea tasting.

Demonstrating the process, Zou audibly sips from a small ceramic cup. In the cup, the dark brown tea leaves unfurl in the hot water, taking on a captivating blend of iron green, brown and orange tones. The tea emits an enchanting fragrance, reminiscent of flowers and fruit, all typical characteristics of Wuyi rock tea.

Wuyi rock tea gets its name from its place of origin, the Wuyi Mountains in Wuyishan, Fujian province. On these mountains, tea plants thrive in the fertile soil, absorbing the essence of the mineral-rich rocks, thereby acquiring their distinct taste and character.

The tea is a semi-fermented variety that undergoes a unique processing technique. The method shields the tea from the impact of atmospheric changes, allowing it to be preserved over extended periods.

Xiamei village in Wuyishan has a long history of tea trading. During the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), Wuyi rock tea made its way to the rest of the world from Xiamei, the starting point of the renowned Tea Road. Today, thanks to the Belt and Road Initiative, Wuyi tea continues to reach connoisseurs of the beverage around the world.

"This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative. The initiative has served as a crucial platform for China's foreign exchanges, offering new opportunities to Wuyishan's tea industry," Zou said.

Zou's family has been involved in the tea trade for over 200 years. They collaborated with merchants from what is today Shanxi province to transport a significant amount of Wuyi tea from their village.

He said that during the late Ming (1368-1644) and early Qing dynasties, the tea traveled all the way to Chaktu on the Russian border, where the Tea Road ended.

Eventually, the tea would reach Moscow and St. Petersburg, from where Russian merchants would sell it to other European countries.

Wuyi rock tea was also shipped from the ports of Fuzhou and Quanzhou in Fujian and Guangzhou in Guangdong province, from where the consignments would then make their way to Liverpool in the United Kingdom.

Even after so many years, the tea trade lies at the heart of Wuyishan's business activities, representing a vital cultural identity of China.

"Nowadays, many foreign customers prefer to place orders for tea through e-commerce platforms. Once the orders are placed, the logistics department arranges for the tea to be transported to Russia and other European countries through the China-Europe Railway Express," Zou said.

The China-Europe freight trains have become a flagship project of the joint building of the Belt and Road.

In recent years, improved transportation networks have meant increased efficiency in economic and trade cooperation along the ancient Tea Road.

Zou added that the railway route provides a faster and more efficient way of transporting tea compared with traditional maritime routes. It also helps to reduce transportation costs and ensures the freshness of the tea.

As a major tea consumer, Russia's demand for tea continues to grow, and a large amount of tea is exported to Russia through the China-Europe Railway Express. In August last year, Hubei province's first special train for tea exports carried about 1,000 metric tons of black tea from Wuhan, the capital of Hubei, and arrived in Moscow in just 20 days, according to Xinhua News Agency.

In 2022, 20 China-Europe freight trains were operated from the land port in Wuyishan, with the total value of tea products reaching 430 million yuan ($58.89 million).

In addition, efforts are being made by tea masters in Wuyishan, like Zou, to ensure the preservation of this ancient tradition in modern times.

Zou values the power of e-commerce channels. "The traditional sales model can no longer meet the needs of modern development. We've noticed that the sales of Wuyi rock tea on e-commerce platforms such as Tmall and JD.com have been increasing year by year," he said.

Furthermore, he highlighted the need for local tea companies to adapt to the consumption habits of younger generations. This includes upgrading marketing strategies to engage younger customers through platforms such as livestreaming and short videos.

Emphasizing the importance of aligning packaging, taste and purchasing preferences with the preferences of the new generation, he said, "Only by doing so can the vitality of this traditional tea culture be ensured."

panjie@chinadaily.com.cn