Hong Kong’s role

Historically Hong Kong  has been a platform for the “West” to enter China. It belonged to the “West”; but it was located in China. Its double culture made it an ideal place to get a first contact with China. Since 1997 Hong Kong has returned to China; but it has kept its multiple cultural influences.

Because of this particular background Hong Kong, is now becoming a platform for Chinese tea producers who want to enter the international market.

On the 25. November the Chinese Society for International Tea Culture Exchange (中国茶文化国际交流协会) was created in Hong Kong. One of its goals is to make Chinese tea culture better known internationally. Representatives from the HK government as well as from the liaison office of the central government in the HK special administration zone attended the founding session, which shows that it is part of an official plan to promote Chinese tea. It will co-organise together with the HK Trade Development Council the first Hong Kong International Tea Fair that will take place from the 13. to the 15. August 09. HK is not a tea production centre; but it is to become a stage for Chinese tea to meet the world.

This article tells how Guizhou Duyun Maojian Tea Company (贵州都云毛尖茶业有限公司) is looking to export its organic tea to Europe. After passing the EU’s quality standards, the company’s next step, according to the journalist, is to register an English trademark in Hong Kong and to use HK as a platform to promote its organic tea brand. This could become the standard way for little known small or medium tea companies to try to enter the international market.

Chinese sources: 香港成立“中国茶文化国际交流协会”; 都匀毛尖茶冲破210项“绿色壁垒”进军欧盟市场