Chinese Tea at the World Expos (London 1851, Shanghai 2010)
The Qing Court wasn’t officially represented at the Great Exhibition of the Industry of all Nations of 1851. The contrary would have been surprising. The precursor of what became to be known as World Expositions, was really a stage for the British Empire to show its position at the forefront of the industrial world. The Chinese Empire wasn’t an industrial nation, nor did it belong to the British Empire or its sphere of influence. In fact, Victorian Britain and Qing China were in-between Opium Wars (1839-1842 and 1856-1860).
At the same time, it was not possible to ignore those products from China, that the British upper-class was so much craving for: Silk, Porcelain and Tea. They were the cause for an economic trade deficit that the British Empire was trying to counter balance with the commerce of opium. So, although China wasn’t present; its most valued manufactured goods served as its ambassadors and were on display at the exhibition.
In 2010 it will be China’s turn to organise the World Exposition in Shanghai under the motto “better city, better life”. This slogan reflects contemporary China’s preoccupations and hopes in dealing with history’s biggest urbanisation phenomenon. What are tea’s place and role in this? Tea has long been a part of China’s urban culture. Teahouses are definitely the best antidote to the stressing life of big cities. They have played that role in China since a very long time and it seems only natural that they should continue to do so. But don’t expect tea to be at the centre of China’s presentation at the expo. They way China likes to present itself to the world nowadays is as a society where high-tech and traditions go hand in hand: the traditions are the foundations, but the emphasis is on the technology. Tea will be drunk in fine cups of China at the Chinese pavilion; but it probably won’t be the main attraction point.
For China’s tea producers, the 2010 World Expo is a unique stage to present their products to the world. There are several ways for them to enter the exposition. One, is to be the official beverage supplier for a certain area of the Expo. Huangshan Wangmantian (黄山汪满田) is the first tea company to have signed such a contract with the organisation of the Expo. Some provinces, where the tea industry plays a significant part in the local economy, might give their tea producers a chance to present themselves at the provincial pavilion. There is also the possibility to have a stand at the UN pavilion. Three thousand square meters big and situated at the heart of the Expo, the UN pavilion will be a strategic location. It will have some space allocated to the culture and trade of tea, as well as events around tea. Tea producers can participate and show their products, if they pay a rather high participation fee. Chinese Tea producers from the same areas are talking about teaming up and sharing the expenses and presentation stands. This kind of regional cooperation is very much needed in an industry, which is characterized by a multitude of small actors.
Chinese sources: 第一届世博会上的中国展品; 中国茶叶走进上海世博会联合国馆; 黄山茶登上世博会大舞台
