Jiang Yuanxun, a national legislator. [Photo/fj.chinadaily.com.cn]

Jiang Yuanxun, a national legislator and the founder of a professional cooperative for black tea in Fujian province, made a suggestion to the National People's Congress at the second session of the 14th National People's Congress to support the building of a demonstration zone in Nanping for the integrated development of both sides of the Taiwan Strait in tea culture and tourism.

Jiang emphasized the deep historical connections between the tea industries of Nanping and Taiwan, highlighting that their tea trees, tea-making techniques, and tea cultures have been intertwined for over a thousand years. He noted the similarity in tea-making techniques between Taipei, Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Miaoli, Yilan, and other regions of Taiwan and those in Wuyishan, underlining the significance of tea as a crucial link for cross-Strait exchanges and integration.

He also underscored the strong foundation for the integrated development of tea culture and tourism between Nanping and Taiwan.

Cultural exchanges related to tea have deepened, with Nanping collaborating with Taiwan's tea industry associations to successfully organize the Cross-straits Tea Exposition 13 times in a row and establishing various culture and tourism exchange activities, showcasing the increasing prominence of cross-Strait integration in tea culture and tourism.

Furthermore, efforts to deepen cooperation in the tea industry have continued, including the introduction and promotion of new tea varieties and technologies from Taiwan, as well as the implementation of policies to benefit Taiwan residents and businesses.

Jiang emphasized that making Nanping a demonstration zone for the integrated development of both sides of the Taiwan Strait in tea culture and tourism would promote deeper cultural exchange and cooperation between the two sides. This initiative would facilitate the integration of traditional cultures on both sides of the Strait, deepen cooperation in the tourism industry, and expand channels for people-to-people exchanges.