Following its well-received debut in 2009, the Hong Kong International Tea Fair on Thursday returned to reinforce the city's role as a premier tea-trading hub in Asia.

The Hong Kong International Tea Fair, organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and the Chinese Tea Culture International Exchange Association, attracts more than 310 exhibitors from 15 countries and regions, up 20 percent from last year.

A visitor inspects a cup of tea in the 2010 Hong Kong Tea Fair in in the 2010 Hong Kong Tea Fair in Hong Kong, south China, Aug. 12, 2010. The 2010 Hong Kong Tea Fair kicked off Thursday in the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center with the participation of over 300 participants from 15 countries and regions. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)

Apart from tea trading, the fair features a Tea Industry Conference on market trends and branding, as well as a Chinese Tea Enterprises Forum, a variety of tea forums, tea-tasting sessions and other activities showcasing the art and culture associated with tea.

Other highlights include a "Vote for the Most Popular Tea 2010" and the debut of an international competition for Hong Kong Style Milk Tea. Regional winners from Australia, the Chinese mainland, Canada, Hong Kong and Macao will compete in a championship to find the best brewers of this unique tea.

As a prime trading hub, Hong Kong has a long history for tea drinking culture, with connections to tea consumption countries and regions, and the tea fair will continue to facilitate global trade, said Fred Lam, Executive Director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council.

Tea demand is on the rise in the city, said the council. Exports of tea from Hong Kong increased significantly in the first half of 2010 to 68 million HK dollars (8.78 million U.S. dollars), up 46 percent from the same period last year. Hong Kong has the highest tea consumption of any city in Asia, with tea imports growing by 25 percent to 200 million HK dollars (25.8 million U.S. dollars) in the first half of 2010.

A salesperson promotes her products in the 2010 Hong Kong Tea Fair in Hong Kong, south China, Aug. 12, 2010. The 2010 Hong Kong Tea Fair kicked off Thursday in the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center with the participation of over 300 participants from 15 countries and regions. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)

The debut tea fair last year received strong support from major tea producing countries and regions, including the Chinese mainland, India, Kenya, Vietnam and Sri Lanka.

According to a survey conducted at the fair, more than 90 percent of the buyers agreed that Hong Kong has the capability to host an international tea competition, which helps enhance tea trade and promote tea brands, a comprehensive system and regulations on beverage quality testing and assuring, as well as the potential to develop into Asia's tea leaf auction center.

They also said that, because Hong Kong does not produce much tea of its own, it can develop into a fair and bias-free trading and marketing center.

The tea fair is combined with the 21st Food Expo, which is the city's annual food extravaganza and veteran exhibition brand, featuring over 740 exhibitors from over 22 countries and regions, a 21 percent rise over last year.