China’s tea sector is rapidly transforming from a traditional engine of poverty relief into a major force for rural revitalization and economic growth, industry officials said at the 2025 Global Green Tea Congress in Wuyuan County, Jiangxi Province.
Li Chunsheng, president of the China Association of Supply and Marketing Cooperative Economics, highlighted that annual tea output now exceeds 37 million tonnes, with a total industry value of more than 330 billion yuan. This growth has strengthened regional economies and boosted farmers’ incomes nationwide.
Li also noted that tea has solidified its position as one of the world’s three major beverages, a reflection of its deep cultural value and broad global reach. More than 2 billion people worldwide are regular tea drinkers, he said, citing China’s expanding influence on international tea culture.
China’s role in global tea promotion was further underscored by its successful 2019 campaign to establish May 21 as International Tea Day, a recognition of both cultural heritage and global leadership in the tea industry.
At the congress, Wuyuan County’s approach to integrating tea production with tourism, cultural innovation, and industrial upgrades was showcased as a model for rural development and sustainable economic diversification.
