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Sri Lanka seeks broader space in China's tea market

china.org.cn / chinagate.cn by Guan Weiwei, August 5, 2016 Adjust font size:

Navin Dissanayake, Minister of Plantation Industries of Sri Lanka giving a speech at a press conference in Beijing, Aug. 3, 2016. [Photo by Guan Weiwei/China.org.cn] 

 

A press conference to promote Ceylon tea co-organized by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in China and Sri Lanka Tea Board was held in Beijing on August 3. A delegation of senior officials and tea distributers from Sri Lanka headed by Minister of Plantation Industries Navin Dissanayake attended the conference.

Next year will mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and China and the 65th anniversary of the two country's historic "Rubber-Rice Pact". Dissanayake said Sri Lanka and China have recently strengthened economic ties with each other. He noted that especially during the past decade China has assisted with the construction of airports and harbors, and that Sri Lanka is actively involved in the "One Belt One Road" initiative. Furthermore, Sri Lanka has always recognized the one-China policy.

In 2015, China imported 7.2 million kilograms of Ceylon tea from Sri Lanka, and the import volume continues to grow every year.

"The most distinctive feature of Ceylon tea is that it is good with sugar or milk, making it more and more popular among young generations in China," said Hasitha De Alwis, the director of international promotions for the Sri Lanka Tea Board. "Non-chemical plantation of Ceylon tea is another characteristic attracting Chinese people, especially females." New products and brands will be developed to cater to Chinese consumers, he added.

Sri Lanka's tea industry will welcome its 150th year of commercial tea production in 2017. Events will be held from February to August to commemorate the event, and China has been invited to take part.

"Ceylon tea will definitely add value to 5,000 years of Chinese tea culture," De Alwis said.