Tea is one of the three major beverages in the world. There are more than 60 tea producing countries and regions in the world. The annual output of tea is nearly 6 million tons, the trade volume exceeds 2 million tons, and the tea drinking population exceeds 2 billion. The main source of income and foreign exchange earnings of the poorest countries is an important source of agricultural pillar industry and farmers’ income in many countries, especially developing countries.

China is the hometown of tea, as well as the country with the largest scale of tea cultivation, the most complete product variety, and the deepest tea culture. In order to promote the development of the global tea industry and promote traditional Chinese tea culture, the former Ministry of Agriculture, on behalf of the Chinese government, first proposed the establishment of an international tea commemorative day in May 2016, and gradually promoted the international community to reach consensus on the Chinese plan to establish an international tea day . The relevant proposals were approved by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Council and the General Assembly in December 2018 and June 2019, respectively, and finally approved by the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly on November 27, 2019. The day is determined as the International Tea Day.

International Tea Day is the first time that China has successfully promoted the establishment of an international festival in the agricultural field, demonstrating the recognition of Chinese tea culture by all countries in the world. Holding educational and publicity activities around the world on May 21st each year will facilitate the blending of China’s tea culture with other countries, promote the coordinated development of the tea industry, and jointly safeguard the interests of the vast number of tea farmers.