China has charged Nigeria on the need to promote the tea drinking culture, saying it is a unifying product that has the element to unite people together, promotes cultural exchanges and mutual understanding among countries.
The advice was given by the Director, China Cultural Centre in Nigeria (CCCNIG), Mr Yang Jianxing, who double as the Cultural Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria at an event in Abuja tagged: “The Art of Tea: A Chinese Tea Ceremony ” and the unveiling of the Africa-China tourism expo 2025.
At the event which was a platform to share unique and profound Chinese culture, fragrance, and good taste of Chinese tea, Jianxing, explained that in China, tea culture symbolises peace, respect, and mutual
sharing.
The envoy while encouraging Nigeria to develop the tea culture among his people, said: “Tea culture is an integral part of Chinese tradition, and we are delighted to share it with our Nigerian friends. Through this event, we hope to promote mutual understanding and friendship between our two nation.”
He also explained that the three main commodities transported through the ancient Silk Road, from China to foreign countries were silk, tea and porcelain.
He said: “In fact, tea is deeply woven into the history and culture of China. It is considered one of the seven necessities of Chinese people’s daily life during the past thousands of years, along with firewood, rice, oil, salt, soy sauce and vinegar.
Nowadays, tea has not only become a popular drink around the world, but also acted as a special language of global communication. In every country, lots of people like to drink tea with their family members and friends. It is no exaggeration to say that drinking tea has become an important way of enjoying leisure time and social interaction for many people.”
He added that harmony is the most important traditional value facilitating personal growth and social progress that it is generally accepted in China, noting that: “Tea creates harmony, promotes harmonious relationships and mutual appreciation among the people all over the world. Both China and Nigeria treasure harmony in relations with nature and people, promoting ethnic and religious harmony year by year.”
The President of China Tourism Promoters, Mr Phil Roberts, on his part explained that tea was a unifying product that could also be used as medicine as well as flavours.
He said: “It is time to promote what we have. We should really cultivate tea and do it the way it should be done and it will increase the GDP. Because of oil, we have jettisoned many value adding products in Nigeria. The Chinese Embassy is showing us that there are things we can use to improve the economy and to take the country to the next level. Nigeria has good land and it is time Nigerians think of what they can do for themselves and the country.”
Roberts stressed that tea has several added value chains aside a side flavour taste.
He said: “It is an industry that beyond taking the tea, also gives alternatives; just like what makes money is not just the consumption of the tea, but there are ceramic wares, utensils and all prepared with it. It is an industry that has many value chains so it makes up for what it is,”
Also speaking, the Chairperson Nigeria’s Governors Spouses Forum, Dr. Olufolake Abdulrazaq, said that the event present avenues that facilitate business networking between Chinese, Nigerian, and African entrepreneurs, bringing people into the rich Chinese tea culture.
She said: “The event stands to further bolster the Nigeria-China relationship, particularly in the areas of tourism and cultural exchanges. Beyond the pleasures of savouring the beautiful aroma, the pleasant taste and richness of tea, we should seize this moment to explore sustainable relationships, particularly as this event also serves as the unveiling of the Africa-China Tourism Expo. Today’s unveiling, it is my belief, would foster cross-cultural understanding between Nigeria and China, while promoting economic growth and supporting initiatives to boost tourism and trade. In this regard, we remain hopeful to collaboration and partnerships in the support of our intervention in the areas of capacity building, skills development, empowerment programs, and community development projects”,
The event hosted by the Chinese Tourism Promoters, China Cultural Centre and the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, concluded with a tea ceremony, where participants had the opportunity to experience Chinese tea culture firsthand. Followed by a cultural performance, which showcased the rich cultural heritage of China and Nigeria, and the Launch of China-Africa Tourism Expo
