Initiated by China Tea Science Society (CTSS), with the support of China Association for Science and Technology (CAST), the International Tea Culture Research and Training Center (ITCC) was officially unveiled on December 2, 2020 in Hangzhou, China.
The inaugural meeting, held in Hangzhou together with a part staged online, saw the presence of totally over 70 guests or journalists from 19 countries, including China, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Russia, Italy, Zambia, Ukraine, Pakistan etc. Meanwhile, by Zoom video conferencing, the inauguration also attracted some 400 guests from 36 countries, including Argentina, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Russia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Turkey, United Kingdom and United States.
Mr. Yongwen Jiang, president of CTSS, stressed in his opening remarks that further collaboration would be spurred for tea culture study, and exchanges and cooperation would be intensified with other NGOs and groups worldwide.
CTI officially joined ITCC as the member from Canada, and will further strengthen tea culture studies, including academic exchange programs, and multi-country accredited courses. CTI will act as the liaison office of CTSS in Canada.
Congratulations from other organizations
“One world, one cup of tea!” The establishment of ITCC was also marked by congratulatory video messages from over 20 NGOs and groups, as well as prominent figures like prof. Chen Zongmao from CAAS Tea Research Institute, and prof. Liu Zhonghua from Hunan Agricultural University. The latter two are both CAE academicians.
NGOs and groups include:
Australian Tea Culture Society
UK Tea Council
Canada Tea Institute
Tea and Herbal Association of Canada
Leibniz University Hannover
Korea International Tea Club
Tea and Coffee Research of Mea Fah Luang University
Japan Chinese Tea Association
Nepal Tea Association
Malaysia International Tea Culture Association
Tea Trade Association of Malaysia
China International Tea Culture Research Association
Cross Strait Tea Exchange Associations
China Tea Marketing Association
National Technical Committee of Tea Standardization
Tea Quality Supervision, Inspection and Testing Center, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs
Chinese Teaman Friendship Association
Overseas Chinese Tea Research and Development Foundation
Tea Branch, China Chamber of Commerce of I/E Foodstuff, Native Produce and Animal Byproducts
Hangzhou Tea Institute of All-China Federation of Supply and Marketing Cooperatives
National Tea Quality Supervision and Inspection Center
International Tea Culture Base
Tea Research Institute, Zhejiang University
China Tea Museum
China Tea Auction and Trading Service Co., Ltd.