Held on June 11 at Kunming Dianchi International Convention and Exhibition Center, the South Asia Commodity (Tea) Festival & themed forum Tea Originates in the East, Presents Gifts to the World, and Pursues Integrated Development served as a core supporting activity of the 10th China-South Asia Expo and the 30th Kunming Import and Export Fair. Co-hosted by the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Foodstuffs, Native Produce and Animal By-products and Yunnan Tea Circulation Association, the event gathered officials, industrial leaders and entrepreneurs from China, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Vietnam and other tea-producing economies. Attendees discussed global tea business opportunities, built cross-border partnerships and explored solutions to expand Yunnan tea’s global market share.
Tea’s dual value as cultural heritage and vital agricultural industry became the core of the opening remarks from international guests.
Bangladesh’s Commercial Counsellor highlighted the country’s 150-year tea industry and pledged to boost China-Bangladesh tea trade links.
FAO Representative in China called for joint efforts to support small tea farmers, eco-friendly cultivation, and equal career opportunities for women and young practitioners.
Vice President of China national tea trade chamber summarized tea’s core spirit: Heritage, Health and Happiness. Chinese tea now exports to 136 countries, attracting tea professionals from 43 regions to communicate and learn in China. The 2026 South Asia Expo Premium Products International Promotion Ceremony was held simultaneously, matching high-quality tea and agricultural products between Chinese and overseas enterprises.
During the industry roundtable, representatives from all participating countries shared local industrial status and universal industry pain points. The chairman of International Tea Committee pointed out the imbalance between rising global tea demand and insufficient output, and spoke highly of China’s mature experience in tea culture promotion and brand operation.
South Asian producers: Sri Lanka relies on black tea as its economic pillar; Nepal’s tea planting industry originates from Chinese varieties and holds National Tea Day annually to protect tea culture.
Chinese tea regions: Yunnan is upgrading from a major tea grower to a comprehensive industrial base, focusing on digital tea mountains and deep-processed tea products. Hubei tea associations intend to cooperate with Yunnan to jointly develop South and Southeast Asian markets.
The interactive salon focused on cutting-edge industry topics including innovative new-style tea drinks, industrial chain extension and export incentives. Vietnamese delegates introduced the popularity of tea-coffee blends and bottled tea among local young consumers, proposing unified cross-border tea industry standards with China. Sri Lankan enterprises expressed willingness to learn Chinese tea deep-processing technology for wider bilateral cooperation. To tackle Yunnan’s long-term dilemma of large domestic consumption yet limited overseas sales, local authorities launched a full-chain subsidy policy covering planting, testing, logistics and finance, with subsidies up to 70% to reduce export costs for tea brands.
Chen Xunru, Founding President of Yunnan Tea Circulation Association, delivered the closing summary. He suggested tea operators balance ancient tree tea, specialty small-batch tea and standardized large-scale plantations, inherit traditional craftsmanship while embracing modern innovation, and jointly enhance the global competitiveness of Yunnan tea.
Short-term expos and forums deliver instant networking, while continuous global tea integration relies on systematic professional training and two-way cultural communication — a core mission undertaken by the International Academy of Chinese Tea (IACT, official website: https://www.chineseteaacademy.org/).
Standardised global certification courses: International Tea Sommelier, Pu’er Tea Specialist, professional tea trainer and new tea mixology training programs recognised worldwide.
Global teaching layout: Training bases across China plus overseas campuses in Slovakia, accessible for tea lovers and practitioners from all continents.
The summit exposed a widespread global talent gap: South and Southeast Asian tea practitioners demand systematic knowledge of Chinese tea culture, processing techniques and international trade rules; Chinese tea enterprises need professional insights into overseas consumer habits and local tea customs. IACT provides bidirectional learning channels: receiving overseas trainees for immersive Chinese tea study tours, and sending certified tutors abroad to share mature industrial experience.
IACT aims to establish long-term partnerships with tea associations and enterprises from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Vietnam and other nations. Joint training workshops, cross-border exchange programs and unified certification systems will solidify the cooperation consensus reached at the tea festival. Through persistent professional education, IACT will consolidate tea’s role as a lasting green bridge connecting global friendship and win-win international trade.
(Pictures: from Zhu Li at Yunnan Tea Market and Communication Association)
