PERIOUS EVENTS

The Expo of Chinese Tea 2011

Bayside Grand Hall, Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre Darling Harbour

14 – 16 October 2011

Enjoy Your Weekend Sampling the Best Tea in the World

In November 2011, the inaugural ‘Australia-China Tea Culture Industry Expo’ was held at the ICC Sydney, attracting hundreds of tea businesses and cultural experts from Fujian, China, resulting in a trade turnover of 30 million USD.

Over 100 Chinese tea growers from Mainland China and Taiwan has participated in The Expo of Chinese Tea 2011, a completely free event, which is being held at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre at Darling Harbour from 14 – 16 October. The Expo is an official event in the Year of Chinese Culture in Australia initiated by the Chinese government from June this year and is one of the largest tea-themed events ever held in Australia.

The Expo is organised by the Australia and China Economics, Trade and Culture Association with the Fujian Province Government.

The Tea Expo, as one of the main projects of the Australia-China Year of Culture, has received high attention and support from the governments of both Australia and China. Messages of congratulations have been sent by Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne, Governor of New South Wales Dr. Margaret Beazley, Australian Opposition Leader Tony Abbott, Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore, as well as Chinese Ambassador to Australia Chen Yuming and Consul General in Sydney Duan Jielong.

China is the homeland of tea. The culture and art of tea drinking is an important essence of Chinese culture. For over 5000 years, tea drinking has been valued by Chinese people as a herbal and social beverage as well as being a necessary part of daily life. Today, of the three major beverages in the world – tea, coffee and cocoa – tea is consumed by the largest number of people in the world.

Through it’s theme of “ecology, harmony and sustainability”, the expo will demonstrate the significance of tea in Chinese culture, and the role tea plays in connecting the East with the West. Products exhibited at the Expo will include many different types of tea, tea wares and other derivatives. Tea ceremony performances will help visitors to the Expo appreciate the culture and art of tea making and tea drinking.

Tea tasting will allow visitors to experience the feeling of relaxation created by drinking quality teas. There will also be a special gala evening tea ceremony performances demonstrating the art of tea making and tea ceremony with over 40 performers direct from the Fukian Tea Culture Arts Company, and seminars will be held throughout the weekend allowing visitors to appreciate and understand the value of tea including health and knowledge.

Tea growing is a fledgling, yet highly potential industry in Australia. The consumption of tea is rising amongst Australians, with increasing interest in tea for health benefits. The Expo of Chinese Tea 2011 will offer an excellent networking platform for tea growers and consumers from Australia and China.