Connecting Cultures, One Flavour at a Time

As a vibrant city on the historic Maritime Silk Road, Quanzhou has actively championed international cooperation in the realm of gastronomic creativity. Over the past four years, Quanzhou has led and participated in several global initiatives that celebrate the cultural significance of food, tea, and wine as bridges of understanding among peoples and cities.

Key International Initiatives in Gastronomic Creativity

Sino-Italian Tea and Wine Culture Promotion Initiative (2023)

In a pioneering effort to unite East and West through the senses, Quanzhou's Anxi County launched the initiative "Immersing in the Aromas of GIAHS Tea" in Rome. Jointly unveiled with Italy's World Heritage vineyard region of Langhe-Roero and Monferrato, the initiative promotes cultural dialogue between Anxi Tieguanyin Oolong tea and fine Italian wine. This cross-cultural exchange highlights how traditional agricultural products can become ambassadors of creativity and heritage.

Maritime Silk Road Multicultural Development Initiative (2024)

Introduced at the 2024 Global Tour Operators Conference, this initiative garnered support from 63 cities across 28 countries. It reinforces Quanzhou's role as a cultural anchor among Maritime Silk Road cities, encouraging integration of culinary traditions, shared festivals, and creative tourism experiences rooted in gastronomy.

East Asian Cultural Cities Common Declaration

Quanzhou has long supported cultural exchanges among China, Japan, and South Korea under the East Asian Cultural Cities framework. As one of the inaugural cities selected in 2013, Quanzhou has consistently contributed to gastronomic and cultural events with fellow UCCN members such as Chengdu, Yangzhou, and Macao. These yearly declarations celebrate shared creativity in cuisine, arts, and heritage.

Quanzhou's Membership in Global Creative and Sustainable City Networks

In recognition of its commitment to culture-led development, Quanzhou is an active participant in several international platforms that foster innovation, sustainability, and intercultural exchange:

A City that Inspires Through Taste

Quanzhou continues to serve as a creative crossroads where gastronomy tells the story of centuries-old trade, migration, and cultural innovation. Through tea, cuisine, and cross-border partnerships, the city is redefining what it means to share heritage in a globalised world—one cup and one dish at a time.