The second International Tea Culture Forum – the Shuxiang Tea Forum -- was held at the Tiahu International Expo Center of Wuxi, Jiangsu province from Dec 16 to 17. [Photo/wxrb.com]

The second International Tea Culture Forum – the Shuxiang Tea Forum -- was held in Tiahu International Expo Center of Wuxi, Jiangsu province from Dec 16 to 17.

Sponsored by the Tea Culture Academy, the World Tea Union of Hong Kong, and Tea magazine of Taiwan, the forum gathered worldwide tea lovers to communicate and exchange ideas on tea culture and its upcoming developments.

Tea extracts have been used in traditional Chinese and Indian medicine for a variety of purposes since ancient times. Regions around Taihu Lake are suitable for growing and processing high-quality tea leaves.

The two-day forum also exhibited tea sets, costumes and furniture to show the beauty and history of traditional tea culture.

Experts from all over the world communicated and exchanged ideas about tea culture in Wuxi. [Photo/wxrb.com]

Experts from the National Palace Museum of Taipei, Argentina, Germany, France and Japan spoke of the beauty of tea. They said as well that the tea exhibition is helpful in promoting tea culture and expanding knowledge about the various kinds of tea.

Chinese tea has become a popular health drink all over the world. The forum will help advance the tea industry in the Taihu Lake regions.

The tea culture forum is an annual event held in Taihu New City of Binhu district, Wuxi.