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“Tea Trails Along The Silk Road” Youth Study Tour 2.0: A New Chapter of Tea Culture Exchange Between Chinese and Malaysian Youth
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2025-01-07 16:32:02 Edit:ECI TIME

In less than six months, Zhejiang International Studies University (ZISU) has once again joined hands with the Malaysia-China Cultural Tourism Association to host the “Tea Trails Along The Silk Road” Youth Study Tour 2.0. From December 1 to 6, 2024, 24 students and faculty members from Zhejiang International Studies University and Peking University traveled across Malaysia, visiting destinations such as Melaka, Kuala Lumpur, and the Cameron Highlands to experience Malaysia’s diverse culture and explore the unique allure of Malaysian tea traditions.

    The event was strongly supported by Tourism Pahang and included academic collaboration with Universiti Malaya. Building on the previous program’s success in using tea as a cultural bridge, this year’s six-day field study brought together young participants from both China and Malaysia for in-depth cultural exploration and exchange.

    Under the framework of a cooperation agreement signed between the Zhejiang Provincial Government and Peking University, this initiative has fostered academic partnerships, with two Peking University students joining 20 ZISU students for the tour. Participation in the program doubled compared to the previous edition.


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    At Universiti Malaya, the delegation was warmly welcomed by Dr. Fan Pik Wah, Head of the Chinese Studies Department, and Dr. Chia Jee Luen, Senior Lecturer. A tea culture seminar featuring Dr. Chia Jee Luen and Mr. Wong Yee Chen, Secretary-General of the ASEAN Tea Organization, provided a platform for discussing the development of tea culture, literature, and industries, while also exploring the similarities and differences in tea traditions between Malaysia and China.


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    The group visited two prominent tea enterprises in Kepong: JDX Tea House (a distributor of Taetea) and Lao Char Trading Sdn Bhd. Mr. David Jong, JDX Tea’s Manager, and Mr. Huang Weizhong, Dayi Tea’s Malaysia Representative, shared insights into the legacy and evolution of Chinese tea in Malaysia. They highlighted efforts to innovate and adapt traditional tea culture for Malaysia’s multicultural audience and evolving consumer trends.

    “I only started learning Chinese in 2012 after entering the tea business,” said Mr. Cody Tan, General Manager of Lau Char Trading Sdn Bhd, showcasing tea’s role as a powerful medium for preserving and promoting Chinese cultural heritage.


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    The study tour’s final stop took participants to the iconic BOH Tea Plantation in the Cameron Highlands. Under the guidance of BOH’s tea expert, Ms. Sangeetha, students learned the art of tea brewing and tasting while gaining a deeper appreciation for Malaysia’s tea production processes and eco-friendly plantation practices.


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    The program concluded with a Tea & Cuisine Salon and Certificate Ceremony at Tannin Hill, a restaurant in Kuala Lumpur dedicated to promoting Chinese tea culture. Hosted by founder Mr. Tan Ban Leong, the event paired dishes with a variety of teas, such as Oolong, Tieguanyin, and Shoumei, demonstrating the richness and diversity of Chinese tea.


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     YB Chow Yu Hui, Member of Parliament for Raub, Pahang, attended the salon and remarked, “At the historic milestone of the 50th anniversary of Malaysia-China diplomatic relations, your presence is especially meaningful. Through tea culture exchanges, from forging friendships to envisioning future collaborations, we are strengthening bilateral ties. With the recent mutual visa exemption policy, I look forward to more exchanges across various fields to usher in the next golden 50 years of Malaysia-China relations.”


    “Looking toward the future through the fragrance of tea, and building friendships through shared tastes,” said Mr. Chen Qifu, President of the Malaysian Tea Association, who also attended the event. He emphasized the salon’s significance as a platform for fostering deeper cultural and artistic exchanges between the two countries.


    Associate Professor Li Na, Project Lead from ZISU, expressed her gratitude to all supporting organizations for facilitating the transition from online to offline exchanges. She noted that the program has successfully integrated academic research with industry engagement, enhancing cultural connections between Malaysia and China.


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    Wang Jingjing, a doctoral student at Peking University’s School of Arts, reflected on her first visit to Malaysia, saying, “The shared language and cultural context of the Malaysian Chinese community made me feel right at home. I hope to continue leveraging tea culture as a bridge to strengthen Malaysia-China relations.”


    Ren Jiayao, a tourism management student from ZISU, shared her excitement about experiencing Malaysia’s rich cultural and geographical landscape firsthand. She extended a heartfelt invitation to Malaysian youth to visit Hangzhou in the future to appreciate its poetic beauty and immerse themselves in China’s profound cultural heritage.


    Ms. Natalie Chan, President of the Malaysia-China Cultural Tourism Association, highlighted that the second edition of the study tour received broader support from the Pahang State Government, prestigious universities, and enterprises. She emphasized that this year’s program achieved greater depth and breadth, further laying the groundwork for future Malaysia-China cultural exchanges.