On the afternoon of March 5, ahead of International Women’s Day, spouses of ambassadors to China from 24 countries, including Belgium, Türkiye, Greece, Chile, and Morocco, attended the Tea Aesthetics Workshop for Ambassadors’ Spouses. This event was co-organized by the BPAFFC and the Xicheng District People’s Government of Beijing Municipality, fostering friendship and celebrating spring over a cup of tea. It marked the second installment of the “Friendship Blooms in Beijing” Home for International Friends Series hosted by the BPAFFC.
In his welcome remarks, Wu Bing, Vice President of the BPAFFC, stated that the BPAFFC is ready to build a platform for women across the globe to foster closer bonds and better understanding, and help each other prosper, thus promoting cultural exchanges and mutual learning and contributing to dynamic and friendly exchanges among women. The Tea Aesthetics Workshop offered an opportunity to renew friendships while savoring the aroma of the tea and admiring spring blossoms, creating beautiful memories for all.
Ha Angelet Phan, the spouse of the Belgian ambassador to China and the leader of the group of the participating ambassadors’ spouses, said that the event, held ahead of International Women’s Day, provided a chance for cross-cultural exchanges and strengthened the conviction in the power of peace, dialogue, and friendship. The cultural experience sessions beyond language strengthened connection and bonds: tasting tea together enhanced mutual respect, flower arranging allowed the ambassadors’ spouses to observe and admire the beauty of nature, and appreciating spring fragrances offered a chance to rediscover inner balance and direction.
Du Hongyue, Deputy District Mayor of Xicheng District, noted that as the birthplace of ancient capital Beijing, Xicheng District boasts a uniquely charming tea culture. Regarded as China’s No. 1 tea street, Maliandao in Guang’anmenwai Subdistrict is leveraging its profound heritage to advance the digital transformation of the traditional tea industry and is committed to building the “China Data Street.” She sincerely invited the ambassadors’ spouses to visit Xicheng District often, especially to walk along the street to experience its unique charm blending tradition and modernity.
At the event, there were ten exhibition booths featuring tea culture enterprises. On display were the six main types of tea (green, black, oolong, white, yellow, and dark tea), alongside ceramics, flower vessels, and incense products. The ambassadors’ spouses visited the booths one by one, listening to introductions about the various types of tea, observing the tea leaves, gently inhaling their aromas, and savoring the flavors of different brews. The exquisite tea wares and various incense products at the booths sparked the curiosity of the ambassadors’ spouses, making them linger with admiration. The spouse of the Indonesian ambassador to China remarked that while Indonesia is rich in black and green teas, it doesn’t produce jasmine tea, which is her favorite for its delicate fragrance and lingering aroma.
During the tea culture experience session, through physical displays and brewing demonstrations, a tea artist gave a detailed presentation on the six types of Chinese tea, their processing methods, and how to properly brew and enjoy each type. The ambassadors’ spouses listened attentively while observing the different forms of tea leaves and savoring their distinct aromas and flavors. The Song Dynasty-style tea whisking performance was most captivating. A tea artist skillfully whisked the tea with a bamboo whisk, creating a fine, white foam on top of the tea. The foam was then shaped into the pattern of “horse bringing auspicious luck,” eliciting gasps of awe from the ambassadors’ spouses. The spouse of the ambassador of North Macedonia to China expressed great interest in tea whisking. She said that this brewing method is quite challenging and demands great patience, but the final tea is exceptionally good.
The ambassadors’ spouses also immersed themselves in Chinese incense culture and traditional flower arranging. In the incense culture experience area, an incense artist explained the history and development of incense culture, displayed various types of incense and incense tools, and demonstrated the process of creating pressed incense. The ambassadors’ spouses carefully followed each step, learning how to make pressed incense themselves. Gradually, patterns like auspicious clouds and the character “Fu” (fortune) took shape in their hands. In the Chinese flower arranging experience area, a floral artist introduced the history and aesthetic principles of traditional Chinese flower arranging and guided the ambassadors’ spouses in selecting containers and floral materials for their own creations. One after another, pieces of creative floral art emerged from their hands. The spouse of Equatorial Guinea’s ambassador to China remarked that women are as beautiful as flowers, blooming vibrantly and radiating their own light. She wished all women worldwide the confidence, self-love, and opportunity to realize their full potential.
During the event, Li Songshan, Secretary of the Guang’anmenwai Subdistrict Working Committee, presented exclusive experience cards to the ambassadors’ spouses as gifts. With these cards, they can visit Xicheng District and Maodaojie to taste and purchase high-quality tea products, which will also help promote fine Chinese teas to the world.
Wang Yanxia, Level I Bureau Rank Official of the BPAFFC, attended the event.
This workshop is the third cultural experience event for ambassadors’ spouses held by the BPAFFC, following the “Rhythm of Chinese Opera, Legacy of Elegance” Cultural Experience Event for Spouses of Heads of Mission and the Graceful Charm of Golden Autumn—Ambassadors’ Spouses Cultural Experience with Time-Honored Brands last year. These events serve as an important window for ambassadors’ spouses to better understand Beijing, experience China, and immerse themselves in the culture of the capital. In the future, the BPAFFC will continue to organize events that highlight Beijing’s cultural features and cater to women’s needs for ambassadors’ spouses, contributing to the implementation of the outcomes of the Global Summit of Women and promoting mutual learning, exchanges, and cooperation between Chinese and foreign women.
“Friendship Blooms in Beijing” Home for International Friends Series
The “Friendship Blooms in Beijing” Home for International Friends Series, launched by the BPAFFC in 2026, is part of its endeavor to build “four bridges” for people-to-people exchanges, practical cooperation, cultural exchanges, and youth friendship between China and other countries. The goal is to contribute to building Beijing into a city of timeless charm that warmly welcomes visitors from all over the world.
