To celebrate International Tea Day, a painting contest on the theme of "Tea for Harmony: Chinese Tea Culture", supported by the Chinese Embassy in Mexico, was held online for Latin America by the China Cultural Center in Mexico on May 21, 2023.

The painting contest, under the global event brand of "Tea for Harmony: Yaji Cultural Salon", was divided into two categories: digital and hand-drawn, aiming to promote the understanding of Chinese tea culture among Latin American people and deepen the integration and mutual learning of tea cultures.

By the submission deadline of April 26, a total of 33 entries from eight countries including Mexico, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Venezuela, Peru, Argentina, Uruguay and Honduras were received, with the oldest contestant being 64 years old and the youngest only 5 years old.

The work "Tea, a generational treasure" by a Nicaraguan contestant - the first prize winner of the digital category - depicts a pair of hands holding a teacup painted with a map of China in which a tea tree grows, forming a human-shaped tea garden. It shows the highest realm of "harmony between man and nature".

In the hand-drawn category, "The Best Mountain Tea" by a Mexican contestant won the first prize. Inspired by traditional Chinese ink painting, the contestant combines Chinese cultural elements like auspicious clouds to depict a refined scene of drinking tea, meditating and cultivating one's body and mind.

The award-winning works were exhibited at the "Tea for Harmony: Yaji Cultural Salon" hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Mexico and the China Cultural Center in Mexico on May 19, 2023.

Tea, originating from China, is now popular throughout the world. Tea is not only a healthy drink shared by the world, but also a "name card" of China that carries its history and culture. As an important part of Chinese traditional culture, tea culture also plays an important role in cultural exchange and mutual learning.

Under the global event brand of "Tea for Harmony: Yaji Cultural Salon", the China Cultural Center in Mexico will also co-host a series of online and offline events with the Chinese Embassy in Mexico, local municipal governments and cultural institutions to further promote Chinese tea culture to Latin America and build bridges for communication and exchange between China and Latin America.