On Jan 30, Qimen black tea, or Keemun black tea, a prestigious product from Huangshan's Qimen county, was chosen as a national gift for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, highlighting its role as a cultural envoy of Chinese tradition and heritage.

The presentation occurred following bilateral talks, where the prime minister first gifted a signed Premier League football. In return, the Chinese side presented a thoughtful pairing of cultural gifts. The Qimen black tea, honored as one of China's "10 famous teas", was accompanied by a set of Foshan woodcut Chinese New Year pictures, both items representing intangible cultural heritage.

Notably, the woodblock painting set was specially crafted with the theme "Soaring in the Year of the Horse", expressing wishes for the steady growth of Sino-British relations. The selection of Qimen black tea — a globally recognized variety with a history of diplomatic gifting — alongside traditional folk art, demonstrates the depth of Chinese culture where "the sentiment outweighs the material value".

Qimen black tea. [Photo/Huangshan Daily]