(The 9th China International Import Expo) A new chapter in a century-old tea relationship, Sri Lankan black tea “goes home” through the China International Import Expo

China News Service, Shanghai, November 7th. Title: A new chapter in a century-old tea relationship. Sri Lankan black tea "goes home" through the China International Import Expo.

China News Service reporter Xu Shanshan

The 9th China International Import Expo (referred to as "CIIE") is being held in Shanghai. In the National Comprehensive Exhibition, Aile, a young Sri Lankan man, stood in front of the booth, skillfully brewing pots of Ceylon black tea, and greeted passing merchants in fluent Chinese, "Come and taste the black tea from our hometown."

This year is the first time that Sri Lanka has appeared as the guest country of honor at the CIIE. The aroma of black tea permeating the booth witnessed the long-standing exchanges between China and Sri Lanka. Aile said, "Many Chinese consumers may not know that the original tea species of the world-famous Ceylon black tea was introduced from Wuyi Mountain in China in the 19th century."

Aile studied abroad at Soochow University for three years and chose to stay in China for development after graduation. Li Delong, chairman of the Sri Lanka-China Trade Promotion Association, who took him to the CIIE, has lived in China for nearly 30 years and is a true "China hand."

"Back then, Chinese tea seeds went to Sri Lanka and sprouted and grew there. Now we have brought it back to China." Li Delong said, it is like a child studying abroad who "comes home" with his skills after completing his studies. "China is the hometown of tea. This kind of fate with the same origin is amazing."

Sri Lanka has participated in several CIIEs in a row. The strong spillover effect of this platform is helping this "homecoming" black tea to further open up the Chinese market and win the recognition of consumers. Data from the "China Tea Import and Export Trade Analysis Report (2026)" show that among mainland China's tea imports in 2025, Sri Lanka ranked first in terms of value.

Li Delong recalled that in the early years, a Fujian businessman who knew tea directly ordered a container after tasting black tea at the CIIE and became its important agent.

The dividends of the CIIE are not only during the expo period. In order to keep good things permanent, Li Delong built a "6 days + 365 days" year-round exhibition hall in Shanghai, which was also equipped with a Sri Lankan restaurant. "The CIIE only lasts a few days, and many merchants don't have time to see it. Our permanent pavilion is like a '24-hour CIIE' where everyone can come and experience food and culture at any time."

In addition to promoting black tea and gemstones, Li Delong also set his sights on China's new energy industry. He revealed in the interview that new energy motorcycle parts produced in Changzhou, Jiangsu Province are currently being shipped to Sri Lanka for local assembly and exported to neighboring countries using local trade policies. "Sri Lanka is an important node in the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative. Chinese companies have a strong desire to go overseas. We just provide the conditions for assembly and transit."

The CIIE not only allows Sri Lanka’s good products to be seen, but also gives young people like Aile more opportunities to integrate into the Chinese market and expand their careers. Centuries-old tea seeds have returned to their hometown, where the older generation has been cultivating the tea and the new generation has passed on the inheritance. This cup of Ceylon black tea, which spans mountains and seas, exudes a mellow aroma through the CIIE.