Chinese tea builds bridges in Los Angeles

In celebration of International Tea Day, the Chinese Consulate General in Los Angeles hosted an event that brought together American artists, cultural leaders and tea enthusiasts to savor fine Chinese tea and share friendship through one of China's oldest cultural traditions.

"China is the homeland of tea," said Guo Shaochun, Chinese consul general in Los Angeles. "The history of the Chinese people planting, making and drinking tea dates back over 4,000 years."

The celebration served as a platform for cultural exchange, with a focus on tea as both an economic pillar and a symbol of harmony. In 2022, UNESCO recognized "Traditional Chinese Tea Processing Techniques and Associated Social Practices" as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, a testament to tea's cultural and historical significance.

"President Xi Jinping once said, 'A single leaf has created an entire industry and brought prosperity to countless people,'" Guo noted. He pointed to how tea cultivation has lifted millions out of poverty across more than 10 provinces in China.

"The tea economy is a green economy, which strongly promotes the sustainable development of China's rural areas," Guo added, sharing examples from his home province Fujian, where tea gardens are now hubs for production and tourism.

Tea also plays an enduring role in international exchange, according to Guo. "Over 2,000 years ago, Chinese tea spread to the world via the ancient Tea Horse Road and Silk Road, blending into the customs and emotions of many peoples," he said. "Tea has also played a significant role in the history of China-US relations."

Guo cited the historic voyage of the Empress of China, the first American merchant ship to reach China in 1784, which returned to New York with a cargo of tea, marking the beginning of China-US trade.

"To this day, many American friends love tea and are fond of Chinese tea," Guo said. "The story of tea continues to unfold on both shores of the Pacific Ocean."

Luo Ping, a certified senior tea master and cultural ambassador for Chinese tea, conducted a traditional tea ceremony and introduced Wen Hui Tu, an ink painting from the Song Dynasty (420-479) that depicts scholars, artists and poets enjoying tea and exchanging ideas. "Now we're kind of a reflection of the ancient Chinese people here," she said, adding that tea gatherings continue to embody the values of connection and cultural appreciation.

The event also featured live performances of Peking Opera, folk songs and jinghu (Chinese violin), captivating guests with the vibrancy of traditional Chinese arts.

While tasting from green and black teas to Pu'er and jasmine-scented varieties, American attendees echoed the event's spirit of cross-cultural dialogue.

Lena Platt of the Schiller Institute shared her first experience with tea, which is culturally significant in Chinese tradition.

"I learned about the tea's multifaceted uses, but more importantly, we are promoting good relations between the United States and China," she told China Daily.

Douglas Smith, a veteran visual effects artist known for his work on both Hollywood and Chinese blockbusters, including Creation of the Gods I, praised his ongoing cultural education through Chinese cinema. "I've been working on Chinese movies about the Shang Dynasty, and it's been a big education on Chinese culture," he told China Daily.

Douglas Freeman, CEO of OC Music & Dance, emphasized the role of the arts in uniting diverse communities. "You respect the culture of that person over there, you can't get angry, you can't fight them, because the culture is so exciting and beautiful," he told China Daily, adding that they plan to build a multicultural orchestra at a future 100,000-square-foot facility in Irvine for collaboration to foster cross-cultural harmony through music.

Adam Burke, president and CEO of the Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board, said cultural exchanges like the tea ceremony demonstrate the deep ties between the two peoples.

"The cultural exchange here brings the people of Los Angeles and China so close together," Burke told China Daily. "Tourism has long served as a vital bridge between our nations, like President Nixon's historic visit to China in the 1970s helped open the door to diplomatic normalization."

"China is still our No 1 overseas market," he noted, citing 1.2 million Chinese visitors in 2019 and a promising rebound in 2024 with 720,000 arrivals. "I'm very encouraged by the fact that it seems like things have normalized. Bilateral tourism and trade are critical, they foster people-to-people understanding, which is more important than ever."

Burke also highlighted Chinese students in California as influential ambassadors for outbound travel, and despite tariff impacts, LA's tourism from China remains strong, reflecting the diverse and welcoming nature of China.