The Embassy of Nepal in Beijing, in collaboration with the Silk Road City Alliance, successfully hosted the Nepal Tea Tasting Festival on Friday.
The event, held under the theme “Strengthening Nepal-China Cultural Bonds,” aimed to promote Nepali tea and foster closer ties between Nepali and Chinese tea traders, entrepreneurs, and business communities.
During the festival, participants were introduced to a wide array of high-quality orthodox Nepali teas, including black, white, golden, and green varieties.
The festival not only provided an opportunity for tea tasting but also served as a platform to develop a network for collaboration between Nepali and Chinese tea businesses.
Nepal’s Ambassador to China, Dr. Krishna Prasad Oli, highlighted the enormous potential for Nepali tea in the Chinese market, given the rich tea cultures in both countries. In his speech, Dr. Oli emphasized that Nepali tea’s unique characteristics, including its flavor and cultivation methods, set it apart in the global market. He encouraged Nepali entrepreneurs to capitalize on this uniqueness by building strong networks, developing effective market strategies, and promoting Nepali tea throughout China.
“Tea is more than just a beverage; it is a bridge of friendship and understanding between our two cultures,” said Dr. Oli, urging both Nepali and Chinese tea entrepreneurs to collaborate further in areas of capacity building, research, development, and technology transfer.
The event was graced by several notable figures, including Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Mr. Chen Song, who expressed his wishes for the event’s success via a video message. Mr. Chen spoke about the role of tea in fostering cultural exchange and mutual learning between China and other countries, including Nepal. He also reaffirmed China’s commitment to deepening its ties with Nepal, particularly in the tea sector.
Mr. Yuan Mindao, Vice-Chairman of the China People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), reflected on the significance of tea as a symbol of the deep-rooted friendship and cultural bonds between China and Nepal. He stressed that tea represents more than just a commodity, highlighting the “win-win cooperation” it promises between the two nations.
Mr. Xu Xiaohu, Vice President of the China Chamber of Commerce for Foodstuffs, Native Produce & Animal By-Products (CFNA), noted that China represents a major potential market for quality orthodox black tea from Nepal. This sentiment was echoed by Mr. Zhong Qifa of Xiamen Cha Tu Trade Co., Ltd., who praised the high quality of Nepali tea and noted the increasing preference among Chinese consumers for pure, high-quality Nepali varieties.
The festival also honored Chinese companies that have been importing Nepali tea, recognizing their vital role in promoting Nepali products in the Chinese market. The Embassy’s recognition underscored the growing trade relations and mutual respect between Nepali and Chinese tea businesses.
The event was attended by over 200 participants, including government officials, diplomats, tea entrepreneurs from both Nepal and China, as well as media representatives and friends of Nepal. The festival highlighted the potential of Nepali tea to become a significant player in the global tea market, particularly in China, which remains one of the world’s largest and most sophisticated tea markets.
Mr. Song Ronghua, President of the Silk Road City Alliance, emphasized that tea transcends trade; it is a vital expression of cultural exchange and collaboration between Nepal and China. The festival provided a rare opportunity for both nations to explore shared values and goals through the lens of their mutual love for tea.
As the event concluded, it was clear that the Nepal Tea Tasting Festival was not just an occasion to promote a product, but a significant step forward in strengthening the enduring cultural, economic, and diplomatic ties between Nepal and China.
With its rich heritage, commitment to quality, and growing international recognition, Nepali tea stands poised to play a crucial role in the future of global tea trade, with China as an important partner.
