The “Tea for Harmony - Yaji” event was held on May 7 at the Chinese Cultural Center in Stockholm, Sweden, showcasing Chinese culture and the daily life of the Sichuan people through the immersive experience of “meeting friends with tea”.

More than 100 people attended the event, including Cui Aimin, Chinese ambassador in Sweden, Susan Andersson, director of the Swedish Tourism Board, and the head of the Sichuan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism.

Cui Aimin said in his speech that tea is the spiritual identity of the Chinese nation and the link and bridge between China and the world. The core of Chinese tea culture is the Tea Ceremony, and the soul of the Tea Ceremony is “Harmony”. In 2022, “Traditional Chinese Tea-making Techniques and Related Customs” was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, which has become a valuable asset for all mankind.

He said in the speech that culture is the basis of identification, and it is also the energy of tourism. Through the support and publicity of cultural legacy, it can not only promote the development of economy, but also can strengthen the self confidence, identification and mutual understanding.

During the event, representatives from Sichuan Province introduced the rich cultural and tourism resources of the region and organized the “Sichuan Talks Around the Stove” tea tasting and exchange activities, allowing local people to experience the daily life of the Sichuan people in an immersive way. Many guests praised the richness and colorfulness of Chinese tea culture and said they looked forward to the opportunity to visit China.

“I like tea very much, and I am fascinated by China's long history and rich tea culture.” Lena Gunnerhide, who came to the event, told reporters that she was impressed by the introduction of the Sichuan landscape at the event, “I must go and see it myself.”