The “International Tea Day and Sustainable Development Study Tour” was held in Wuyi, Fujian Province, from May 17 to 19, hosted by School of Global Governance, Renmin University of China (RUC), Academic Association for International Cultural Exchange College Construction and Management Center, RUC, and Wuyi Research Institute for Chinese Civilization.
In celebration of the United Nations’ fifth International Tea Day, this event was organized to deeply implement Xi Jinping’s thoughts on ecological civilization and explore the coordinated development of the tea industry and ecological environment protection.
The event brought together experts and scholars from international organizations, as well as students and professionals in ecology and environmental protection. Participants delved into topics on green ecological economy and industrial innovation, analyzing the intrinsic connection between tea industry development and sustainable development.
Prominent mentors for this event included Cui Shoujun from the School of International Studies, Deputy Dean Song Yueping from the School of Population and Health, Liu Jinlong from the School of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, and Deputy Dean Wang Ke from the School of Ecology and Environment. Twenty students from eleven different schools within RUC engaged in thematic discussions and practical learning sessions under their guidance.
Additionally, the event featured academic advisors such as Zhang Nan, UNV China, Country Coordinator, Xue Yuxue, former UNDP Country Director of Afghanistan and Indonesia, Wang Zhijia, Former Special Adviser to USG of UN and Former Director General of International Cooperation Department of the National Environmental Protection Administration, Lu Yanting, Director of Outreach Department of Shanghai UN Research Association, Zhu Jiejin, Professor of the School of International Relations and Public Affairs of Fudan University, Huang Lu, Professor of the Business School of Sichuan University, Wang Jianhua, Deputy Dean and Professor of the School of Foreign Languages of RUC, Hua Jianguang, Dean of Wuyi Research Institute for Chinese Civilization, Marc Gattano, Irina PAK, and Nagashima Yoichi from the School of Foreign Languages of RUC, and Yuan Yilin, Deputy Director of the International Office of RUC.
During the study tour, participants immersed themselves in the art of tea, learning about tea ceremonies and the nuances of tea tasting. They observed the entire tea production process and explored sustainable tea garden operations, such as the “forest-fruit-flower-tea-grass” ecological model and intercropping systems. These activities aimed to understand how sustainable development promotes high-quality, green, low-carbon industry growth. Also, each group was organized to conduct reading sessions and academic salons focused on relevant topics under the guidance of the mentors.
The “Tea Talks: International Tea Day and Sustainable Development Dialogue” was held on May 19, where student groups presented their research on topics like “Exploring Overseas Pathways for Chinese Tea Enterprises,” “Carbon Footprint and Carbon Labeling of Wuyi Mountain Tea Products,” “Value Chain Analysis of Wuyi Star Tea,” and “Women’s Participation in the Wuyi Mountain Rock Tea Industry.” The presentations demonstrated innovative ideas and unique insights into the sustainable development of the tea industry.
Experts provided valuable feedback, recognizing the students’ thorough preparation and creative thinking. They emphasized the importance of environmental protection in the tea industry and explored pathways for Chinese tea enterprises to expand internationally. The discussions also underscored the close relationship between tea culture and ecological civilization, aligned with the United Nations' sustainable development goals.
This event facilitated a rich exchange of ideas, focusing on the integration of green ecological economy and industrial innovation. It provided theoretical and practical recommendations for the green development of the tea industry and delved into the unifying and diverse aspects of tea culture, both globally and locally. The participants agreed that tea culture, as a prominent symbol of Chinese civilization, will continue to shine brightly in harmony with the pulse of the times, showcasing its unique charm to the world.
As one of the School of Global Governance’s flagship programs, the “International Organizations in China: visiting programs have visited more than ten international organization representative offices in China, enhancing students’ understanding of international organizations, broadening their knowledge of the United Nations, bridging the gap between students and international organizations, and bringing international organizations closer to the youth of RUC.
In 2019, the United Nations General Assembly established May 21 as “International Tea Day” to celebrate the economic, social, and cultural value of tea and promote sustainable agricultural development worldwide. China, the world’s largest producer and consumer of tea, has been a driving force behind this international recognition, advocating for the continuous healthy development of the global tea industry and the cultural exchange of tea traditions.
