Recently, the Chinese Consulate General in Vancouver, in collaboration with the Chinese Students and Scholars Association at Thompson Rivers University (TRU), hosted an international tea culture event on campus. The Consul in charge of cultural affairs delivered a lecture introducing Chinese tea culture to faculty and students.

The event drew an enthusiastic crowd, including TRU’s Acting Vice-President International, Justin Kohlman, as well as more than 50 students from Canada, China, and Japan.

Titled “A Sip of China: The Culture of Tea,” the lecture delved into the origins and evolution of Chinese tea, its diverse varieties and health benefits, and the deep cultural significance tea holds in everyday life in China. The talk also featured an official short film about “Traditional tea processing techniques and associated social practices in China,” which has been inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The video sparked keen interest and thoughtful discussion among attendees.

Following the lecture, participants were invited to enjoy a kung fu tea ceremony and sample a variety of iconic Chinese teas, including Oolong, Pu’er, and Longjing. The event offered a warm and engaging atmosphere where students and faculty could unwind, discover the artistry of Chinese tea, and get a taste—both literally and culturally—of this centuries-old tradition.