With Guangzhou as its transfer station, the Guiyang Free Trade Zone exported 254 tons of tea to Africa by sea on Dec 19.

The Guiyang Free Trade Zone, located in Baiyun district, Guiyang, was approved by the State Council in 2013. With completion of a production line capable of packing six tons of tea leaves at one time, a large amount of tea will be exported to Africa, Russia and the euro area, according to an official of the Guiyang Free Trade Zone.

The tea export base was set up by a Guizhou-based tea company earlier this year. It owns a standardize plant covering 16,000 square meters and 124 pieces of equipment for tea processing and transferring.

Data shows that from January to November this year, tea exports in Guizhou have doubled to over 2,382 tons and $72 million. Tea has become the province's third biggest export, following liquor and tobacco.

An official of the Tea Association of Guizhou said that the tea export trade of Guizhou is expected to develop further due to the Belt and Road Initiative.