Guizhou province sent 48 leading tea companies to the first China International Tea Expo and Summit Forum for the International Tea Industry held in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, on May 18. Over 200 exhibitors showcased their brands and tea products at the expo's Guizhou pavilion.

The Guizhou pavilion showcases local tea brands at the first China International Tea Expo held in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province. [Photo by Zhou Yuangang/gz.xinhuanet.com]

As of the best areas in China for growing tea, the province boasts a plantation area of seven million mu (466,700 hectares) and enjoys sound ecological conditions and minimal industrial pollution. According to the province's statistics, there are now 3,776 tea companies in Guizhou producing 284,000 tons of tea for 30 billion yuan ($4.35 billion) in annual revenues.

Guizhou province is one of China's ancient tea producing regions. In 1980, the fossils of Siqiu tea seeds were found in the geological layer of the Tertiary Period in Qinglong County. The fossil is the sole tea seed fossil to be discovered in the world, and has a history dating back one million years ago.

Guizhou green tea became a national geographical indication product approved by the Ministry of Agriculture in Jan 2017.

Hu Jicheng(R), official of the Guizhou agriculture department, introduces Guizhou tea to foreign guests. [Photo by Zhou Yuangang/gz.xinhuanet.com]

The Guizhou pavilion is crowded with visitors and buyers. [Photo by Zhou Yuangang/gz.xinhuanet.com]