“A national study center could be built in Asti” [FOTO E VIDEO] – Lavocediasti.it

An evocative tea ceremony, a traditional Chinese rite, was held this morning in the council hall of the Province of Asti. Thanks to the presence of Jiang YutongDirector of “Xinjihao” of the Bama Tea group and Stefano Jang, head of a delegation from the Chinese tea giant Bama Group.

The group, which has twenty thousand employees and grows some of the finest qualities of tea in the world (the Chinese leader Xi Jinping is counted among its admirers), has its own plantations in historic UNESCO heritage forests, exactly like the rows of Asti.

The group was hosted this morning by President of the Province and Mayor Maurizio Rasero and the President of the Center for Studies on the Cultural Landscape of Langhe Roero Monferrato Roberto Cerrato.

Since 24 May 2023, the Italian Institute for the Protection of the Vitivinicultural Cultural Landscape has been collaborating intensely with Bama, leader in the People’s Republic of China in the cultivation and production of excellent quality tea, carrying forward together a unique project for the cultural valorisation of the two main productions of the agriculture of the respective countries: Wine and Tea. In fact, there are many similarities between the two areas, in addition to the excellence in the cultivation of vines and tea. The Chinese group, in fact, coincidentally works for the most excellent part of tea cultivation in an area of ​​Yunnan recognized as a Cultural Heritage of Humanity, as a Chinese site registered in the WHL in 2023, namely: “Cultural Landscape of Old Tea Forest of the Jingmai Mountain in Pu’er”, with the same criteria (III-V) that Icomos recognized our wine-growing landscape of Langhe Roero Monferrato.

“It is a further step in the relationships we are constantly building with China – he comments the mayor Maurizio Rasero – the delegation was very fascinated by our Palio, and knowing that there is a horse in the coat of arms of their territory, we can certainly expand our cultural exchanges in the future. After Rome, Asti is now a fixed stop for all Chinese delegations visiting Italy.”

“We are thinking of opening a national branch of the wine and tea study center in Asti – says Roberto Cerrato – the Department of Culture already has plans in this regard. Asti can truly be the ideal place for these cultural exchanges, which are conducive to new commercial relationships.”

A year ago, a memorandum of intent was signed in Rome which envisaged a strong sharing of intentions and common affinities between two cultures deeply rooted in communities of people, with tradition and identity which thanks to the memorandum of understanding over the years The coming years will see the parties working together to spread a message of friendship and peace in the world.

After “Tea Ceremony”offered to the participants of the meeting, an exchange of gifts took place between the parties.