On December 18, 2025, the Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica (SIMM) held a “Tea for Friendship” cross-cultural exchange event at its Niudun campus. Graduate Education Office Director He Min, Deputy Director Wang Hui, and dozens of international students from various countries and campuses gathered together. They shared tea-drinking customs from their home countries.

At the beginning, He Min introduced that “Discover China, Shine in the World” is a thematic cultural series designed by the institute for international students. It aims to help them gain a deeper understanding of Chinese culture and cultivate high-quality talents with both international perspectives and cross-cultural communication skills—individuals who can promote mutual learning among civilizations and vividly share China’s stories. Following this, Wang Hui delivered a lecture titled “Chinese Tea,” vividly explaining the long history of tea and the characteristics and processing techniques of China’s six major tea categories. Using various tea leaves, she guided students to engage multiple senses—observing the appearance closely and quietly savoring the aroma—to build a comprehensive and intuitive understanding of tea. She also demonstrated key brewing techniques for different tea types, clearly explaining how water temperature and brewing methods shape the diverse flavors of tea.

During the immersive experience session, students personally handled tea sets and sampled five distinctive Chinese teas on site. By observing the liquor color, smelling the aroma, and tasting the flavor, they further appreciated the rich layers and unique profiles of Chinese tea. The subsequent free exchange session was lively, with international students enthusiastically sharing tea-drinking customs and anecdotes from their home countries. Everyone recognized that tea, as a common cultural carrier, has long transcended geographical boundaries, forming diverse traditions worldwide and serving as an emotional bond that promotes mutual understanding between people and nations.

This “Tea for Friendship” event was not only a deep dive into tea culture but also built a platform for friendly interaction between Chinese and international students. It served as a vivid practice of using cultural recognition to promote international cooperation, effectively enhancing mutual understanding and friendship.