On 16 May 2023, the Chinese Embassy in New Zealand hosted a 'Tea for Harmony' diplomatic tea gathering, attended by Ambassador Wang Xiaolong, who delivered a speech. Ambassador Wang noted that tea cultivation embodies harmony between humanity and nature, while tea drinking pursues inner peace and simplicity. Tea carries values of subtlety, peace and harmony, serving as an important carrier of Chinese culture and a bridge connecting peoples.

The United Nations designated 21 May as International Tea Day to promote global harmony and sustainable development. The event welcomed over 50 guests, including Members of Parliament of New Zealand, diplomatic envoys from Germany, Australia, Cuba, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and others, as well as university academics. Zealong Tea Estate of New Zealand and the Gansu Provincial Tea Art Intangible Heritage Delegation performed oolong tea and dark tea ceremonies respectively.

Guests savoured tea and music, fostering friendship. The tea gathering showcased the profound heritage of Chinese tea culture and promoted cultural exchanges between China, New Zealand and other countries. Ambassador Wang emphasised that tea, though originating in China, belongs to the world and serves as a bond for mutual understanding among peoples.

The event proceeded in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere; guests praised the Chinese tea art and deepened their understanding of Chinese culture through tea tasting. The participation of Zealong Tea Estate, a local New Zealand tea company, highlighted the potential for Sino-New Zealand cooperation in the tea industry. The performance by the Gansu tea art delegation demonstrated the tea culture characteristics of China's northwestern region.

During the event, the Embassy also introduced Chinese tea varieties and brewing methods, enhancing foreign guests' knowledge of Chinese tea culture.

For small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) owners in New Zealand, this 'Tea for Harmony' event is not only a cultural exchange but also sends a positive signal. The Chinese Ambassador personally endorsed tea culture, indicating that the Chinese government attaches great importance to soft power projection. Tea, as a cultural carrier, intersects with New Zealand's thriving speciality beverage market (e.g., premium teas, fruit wines).

SMEs can consider how to integrate their products with Chinese cultural elements—for example, designing packaging for locally produced honey or fruit wines that incorporate stories of Chinese tea culture, or collaborating with Chinese tea companies to develop fusion tea-and-wine beverages. The event attracted envoys and scholars from multiple countries, reflecting New Zealand's role as a multicultural hub. SMEs that embody multicultural inclusivity in their products (e.g., launching limited editions for International Tea Day) may find greater favour in government events and high-end channels.

Additionally, the participation of the Gansu tea art delegation signals that China's northwestern region is increasing its cultural output. New Zealand enterprises could explore cooperation opportunities with Gansu in speciality agricultural products such as goji berries and sea buckthorn, which have significant potential in the health food sector. A note of caution: while such cultural events do not directly generate orders, they can enhance Chinese consumers' affinity for New Zealand brands over the long term.

When Chinese shoppers see New Zealand speciality products in supermarkets, recalling friendly cultural interactions may boost purchase intentions. It is recommended that SMEs proactively contact the Cultural Section of the Chinese Embassy in New Zealand to participate in future themed events, aiming to have their products featured as gifts or displays, thereby achieving brand exposure at minimal cost.

Keywords: Wang Xiaolong, Tea for Harmony, diplomatic tea gathering, cultural diplomacy, Sino-New Zealand relations, International Tea Day, Zealong Tea Estate, Gansu tea art

2023年5月16日，驻新西兰使馆举办“茶和天下”使团茶叙活动，驻新西兰大使王小龙出席并致辞。王小龙大使表示，种茶讲究天人合一，品茶追求身心简静，茶承载着含蓄、平和、和谐等理念，是中国文化的重要载体，也是联结各国人民的纽带。联合国将每年5月21日设为“国际茶日”，旨在促进世界和谐与可持续发展。

活动邀请了新西兰议会议员、德国、澳大利亚、古巴、泰国、沙特、埃及等驻新使节及高校学者等50余人参加。新西兰玺龙茶庄与甘肃省茶艺非遗代表团分别表演了乌龙茶和黑茶茶艺，现场嘉宾品茗赏乐，共叙友谊。此次茶叙活动以茶为媒，展示了中国茶文化的深厚底蕴，促进了中新及多国间的文化交流。

王小龙大使强调茶虽起源于中国但属于全世界，是各国人民相知相交的纽带。活动在轻松友好的氛围中进行，嘉宾们对中国茶艺赞不绝口，表示通过品茶加深了对中华文化的理解。新西兰玺龙茶庄作为本地茶企参与，体现了中新茶产业合作潜力。

甘肃省茶艺非遗代表团的表演则展现了中国西北地区的茶文化特色。活动期间，使馆还介绍了中国茶叶种类和冲泡方法，增进了外宾对中国茶文化的认知。

对于新西兰中小企业主来说，这场“茶和天下”活动不仅是文化交流，更传递出积极信号。中国驻新大使亲自站台推广茶文化，表明中国政府高度重视软实力输出，而茶作为文化载体，恰好与新西兰蓬勃发展的特色饮品市场（如精品茶、果酒等）产生交集。中小企业可借此思考如何将自身产品与中国文化元素结合——例如，为本地生产的蜂蜜、果酒设计包含中国茶文化故事的包装，或与中方茶企合作开发融合茶酒饮料。

活动邀请了多国使节和学者，说明新西兰正成为多边文化枢纽，中小企业若能在产品中体现多元文化包容性（如推出“国际茶日”限定款），更易获得政府活动和高端渠道的青睐。此外，甘肃省茶艺非遗代表团的参与提示，中国西北地区正加大文化输出，新西兰企业可关注与甘肃在特色农产品（如枸杞、沙棘）方面的合作机会，这些品类在健康食品领域潜力巨大。值得警惕的是，这类文化活动虽不直接带来订单，但长期能提升中国消费者对新西兰品牌的亲切感——毕竟，当中国消费者在超市看到新西兰特产时，若联想到两国友好的文化互动，购买意愿可能增强。

建议中小企业主动联系驻新使馆文化处，参与未来类似主题活动，争取将产品作为活动伴手礼或展示品，以小成本撬动品牌曝光。

关键词: 王小龙, 茶和天下, 使团茶叙, 文化外交, 中新关系, 国际茶日, 玺龙茶庄, 甘肃茶艺

Photo by Lena Goncharova on Pexels

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs