HK expands Tea Fair to promote role as global tea trade hub

 A salesperson promotes her products in the 2010 Hong Kong Tea Fair in Hong Kong, south China, Aug. 12, 2010. The 2010 Hong Kong Tea Fair kicked off Thursday in the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center with the participation of over 300 participants from 15 countries and regions. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)

The debut tea fair last year received strong support from major tea producing countries and regions, including the Chinese mainland, India, Kenya, Vietnam and Sri Lanka.

According to a survey conducted at the fair, more than 90 percent of the buyers agreed that Hong Kong has the capability to host an international tea competition, which helps enhance tea trade and promote tea brands, a comprehensive system and regulations on beverage quality testing and assuring, as well as the potential to develop into Asia’s tea leaf auction center.

They also said that, because Hong Kong does not produce much tea of its own, it can develop into a fair and bias-free trading and marketing center.

The tea fair is combined with the 21st Food Expo, which is the city’s annual food extravaganza and veteran exhibition brand, featuring over 740 exhibitors from over 22 countries and regions, a 21 percent rise over last year.

-Xinhua News Agency