Xiamen (CNS) – The First International Forum on the Tea Industry was co-sponsored by the Xiamen Municipal Government, China Minsheng Banking Corp and the Taiwan-mainland Tea Association. Wen Zhongliang, deputy director of the Department of Foreign Trade at the Commerce Ministry, made a speech on the theme of China's policy on tea exports.
China ranks first in the world for volume of tea produced with 1.45 million tons each year. In 2010 China exported 302,400 tons of tea worth 784 million USD, said Wen, adding that this year the tea export volume is predicted to reach 320,000 tons and make a profit of 900 million USD.
Wen suggested China's tea industry amplify its export superiority. He also explained that the Commerce Ministry will endeavor to help the internationalization of the tea industry in several respects.
The first is to build up China's tea identity through communication and cooperation with foreign tea merchants and tea-related organizations. The second is to encourage and support the construction of regional tea exporting bases. Meanwhile, said Wen, the ministry will establish a quality assurance and inspection system to ensure the good quality of China's exports.
