The Fifth China-ASEAN Tea Culture Forum was held in Jiu'an township of Guiyang, Guizhou province on July 26. As one of the sub-forums of the 11th China-ASEAN Education Cooperation Week, it attracted more than 70 domestic and foreign experts and scholars in tea culture.

Before the forum, the attendees were invited to explore Jiulong Mountain, Wanmu Tea Garden and the Mangfu Art Center in Jiu'an township. Based on their field investigation, they expressed their views on the development of the local tea industry during the forum.

Guo Guiyi, professor of Henan province's Xinyang Agriculture and Forestry University, spoke highly of the tea industry in Jiu'an. He said that besides its guaranteed quality, Jiu'an tea is also properly advertised. He hoped that the value of Jiu'an tea could be fully explored in terms of its composition, quality and variety to make it a unique brand for Jiu'an.

"Placed along the borders of Guiyang city, Jiu'an has geographical advantages for developing the tea industry. Its tea products should be introduced into urban shopping malls to receive added value," said He Qingyuan, deputy director of the tea Institute of the Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences.

Ye Huimin, a representative of the Hong Kong Tea Culture Association, has been researching tea for years. He said that Jiu'an can develop its tea industry with the help of tea culture and art.

Jiu'an was once a major coal producer in Guizhou with over 400 mines. Since 2010, the township has focused on ecological growth and started to develop the tea industry. It won the title of "top?10 most beautiful tea villages in Guizhou" in 2013. Valuable suggestions from experts and scholars will promote further development.

The Fifth China-ASEAN Tea Culture Forum is held in Jiu'an township of Guiyang, Guizhou province on July 26. [Photo/www.gog.cn]

Zhao Yandi contributed to the story.