On May 21, the Chinese Embassy in the United States, in collaboration with the Department of Culture and Tourism of Hubei Province and the Chinese American Museum in Washington, hosted the 2024 Tea for Harmony Yaji Cultural Salon. The event was attended by Minister Jing Quan, Minister-Counsellor Chen Chunmei, and over 200 guests, including diplomats from more than 20 countries, and prominent figures from American political, business, and cultural circles. Attendees had the opportunity to experience Chinese tea culture up close and appreciate the unique charm of Hubei province.
Minister Jing Quan welcomed everyone to Tea for Harmony Yaji Cultural Salon at the embassy, where they could enjoy tea, art, and dialogue, and fully experience the beauty of cultural exchange and the harmonious coexistence of humanity and nature. He emphasized that tea is deeply rooted in Chinese life and is a symbolic representation of Chinese culture. The moderate nature of tea has profoundly shaped the Chinese people and reflects China’s approach to international relations. For centuries, tea has gone global through the ancient Tea Horse Road and the Silk Road, witnessing exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations and boosting the global economy.Tea is culture, heritage, and wealth. In China, a small tea leaf has developed into a major industry, exemplifying how green, sustainable development can benefit people in a tangible way.
Minister Jing also highlighted that tea fosters friendships. Although China and the United States differ in history, culture and national conditions, this has not prevented us from sitting down together to enjoy the charm of tea and seek harmonious coexistence.
The Hubei delegation, in collaboration with local American tea artisans, showcased the production techniques of various teas, including Enshi Yulu, Changshengchuan Qingzhuan Tea, and Jingwei Fu Tea. They also displayed representative tea products, tea utensils, and tea-making tools, performing tea ceremonies to allow guests to savor the rich heritage of Chinese tea culture.
Artists from Hubei performed Tujia songs such as Guest-Welcoming Song of the Tujia, Sister Huadongdong a Beautiful Flower, and Six Cups of Tea, showcasing the unique local ethnic art and customs, earning widespread acclaim. The Wudang Kungfu demonstration, blending the hardness and softness of sword techniques, illustrated the profound Taoist philosophy of unity between nature and humanity.
Traditional crafts from Hubei, like Wuhan dough sculpture and Daye embroidery, enriched the cultural experience for the guests. Embroidery artists displayed large works like A Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains and One Hundred Sons, as well as intricately made wedding dresses, handbags, and jewelry. They also led guests in learning simple embroidery techniques, allowing them to take home their handcrafted souvenirs. Dough sculpture artists presented lifelike sculptures of historical figures such as Guan Yu, Wang Zhaojun, and Qu Yuan, as well as familiar Western characters like mermaids and Snow White, highlighting the fruitful results of cultural exchanges. They also taught guests to make auspicious dough figurines such as lucky bags, gold ingots, small radishes, and roses.
The Hubei tourism promotion at the event attracted many foreign friends, featuring eight distinctive travel routes: Wuhan Urban Tour, Three Gorges of the Yangtze River Tour, Wudang Taoist Tour, Shennong Mystery Tour, Three Kingdoms Culture Tour, Tujia Ethnic Tour, Chu Culture Tour, and Emperor Yan’s Roots-Seeking Tour. Many expressed their desire to visit China and experience the natural beauty and vibrant culture of Hubei.
Guests praised the unique artistic performances and tea demonstrations, noting that the experience allowed them to fully appreciate the charm and cohesion of Chinese tea culture. Sarfraz Hussain, Press Counsellor at the Pakistani Embassy, wrote in the guestbook, “China and its people have always inspired the world. We take huge pride in our friendship with the great people of China.”
The Tea for Harmony Yaji Cultural Salon, supported by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China, aims to provide an immersive experience of China’s rich tea culture through exhibits, photos, videos, intangible cultural heritage displays, and artistic performances. It seeks to promote mutual understanding and friendship among people worldwide and foster global cultural exchanges and shared prosperity.
