Jinshan Xue: Building Bridges Across the World with a Cup of Tea

Xiamen, Fujian Province — Amid the tea-scented mountains of Fujian, Jinshan Xue, a young innovator and promoter of tea culture, is weaving a story that connects China and the world through tea. Growing up on a tea farm, he is now the Chairman of China’s Mingtang Tea Co., Ltd., bringing Chinese tea culture to the global stage. Xue’s dream extends beyond selling tea; he aims to tell the story of China through a cup of tea, allowing the world to experience China’s history, culture, and emotions within its aroma.

A Cup of Tea, A Path to the World

Born in 1988 in Fujian, a region deeply rooted in tea culture, Jinshan Xue (Jinshan Xue) sees tea as more than a lifestyle—it’s a cultural vessel. From Wuyi Mountain’s rock tea to Fuding’s white tea, Fujian is the heart of China’s tea industry. In 2012, at just 24 years old, Xue founded Mingtang Tea Co., Ltd. with a vision not just to run a tea business but to use tea as a means of cultural exchange between China and the world.

Tea is deeply ingrained in Fujian’s culture, and tea gardens play a vital role in daily life. Growing up, Xue experienced firsthand the intricate processes of tea picking and production and the bittersweet taste of various teas. To him, tea is more than just a drink; it’s the hope of tea farmers, the industry of rural communities, and a symbol of Chinese culture. These childhood insights became the foundation of his commitment to tea culture in later years.

The World Stage and “Tea Diplomacy”

Jinshan Xue possesses a keen business sense but understands that commercial thinking alone is insufficient to bring Chinese tea culture to the world. He proposed the concept of “Tea Diplomacy” — using tea to promote cultural exchange between China and other nations, employing it as a diplomatic tool to share China’s story. His goal is for leaders and entrepreneurs worldwide to understand China’s traditions, history, and modernization through tea tasting.

Jinshan Xue Mingtang Tea Co., Ltd. and International Leaders

Since 2017, Jinshan Xue has represented Chinese tea companies at global events like the APEC Business Leaders Summit, the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, and the China-Japan-Korea Business Summit, becoming a key promoter of Chinese tea culture internationally. Mingtang Tea has been presented as a gift to leaders from over 80 countries, earning Xue the title of “Tea Culture Ambassador.” French President Emmanuel Macron, former Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, and former German President Christian Wulff have all received Mingtang Tea, making tea a warm and friendly cultural link between China and the world.

Jinshan Xue says, “Tea is a culture of inclusivity, able to bridge distances between people. I hope the world can experience China’s openness and friendship through tea’s aroma, making tea a bridge for international exchanges.”

A Deep Connection to Mazu Culture

Alongside tea culture, another deeply rooted belief in Xue’s life is the Mazu culture prominent in Fujian. Mazu, the goddess of the sea, symbolizes compassion, protection, and courage. Xue’s family has worshiped Mazu for generations, and to him, tea and Mazu share a natural connection. Each year, on Mazu’s birthday, the family would brew fine tea to offer to Mazu, praying for favorable weather and peace.

This spiritual connection shaped Xue’s approach to tea and business. He believes that both tea culture and Mazu faith share the qualities of inclusiveness, benevolence, and harmony — qualities he aims to share worldwide through Mingtang Tea. He states, “Tea’s warmth and Mazu’s compassion represent a shared force that inspires me to pursue tea culture, infusing each cup of Mingtang Tea with love and inclusivity.”

Xue also shares the story of Mazu, the Mazu goddess, with international friends, so they not only taste the tea’s aroma but also appreciate the kindness and bravery within Mazu culture. He views tea as a medium for spreading goodwill, just as Mazu protected fishermen on the seas; he hopes Mingtang Tea can bring comfort to the hearts of those who drink it, conveying the warmth of traditional Chinese culture.

Innovation and Adherence in the Tea Industry

Mingtang: A Modern Chinese Tea Chain

In managing the tea business, Xue emphasizes the combination of innovation and tradition. He believes the development of a tea company should be rooted in tradition while embracing modern technology and global business strategies. Mingtang Tea offers product lines like Fujian Wuyi rock tea, Fuding white tea, and ceramic tea sets, drawing on tea garden resources and craftsmanship to create high-quality cultural tea products. Mingtang Tea has introduced the “Twelve Heads of State Tea” series, blending Chinese tea culture with diplomatic etiquette, making each cup of tea a symbol of Eastern charm in international affairs.

To ensure the highest quality in every tea leaf, Xue integrates modern techniques with traditional craftsmanship, preserving tea’s natural flavor and cultural essence. Mingtang Tea maintains strict control over production, packaging, and logistics, continuously enhancing its supply chain and partnering with logistics giants like SF Express and Deppon to deliver fresh, authentic tea worldwide quickly.

Xue closely follows market changes and consumer needs. To him, tea should not only align with traditional cultural standards but also appeal to the younger generation and fit modern lifestyles. Hence, he introduces innovative marketing approaches, opening experience stores, exclusive shops, franchise outlets, and joint ventures in major cities, presenting tea culture as vibrant and fashionable rather than “old-fashioned.”

Charity and Social Responsibility: The Heartwarming Tea Aroma

For Jinshan Xue, tea is not only a culture and career but also a way to carry social responsibility. Mingtang Tea is committed to merging business growth with philanthropy, actively participating in charitable endeavors, donating over 1,076,000 items to support education in impoverished areas, disaster relief, and rural poverty alleviation, aiming to warm those in need with the fragrance of tea.

Jinshan Xue Mingtang Tea Co., Ltd. and Charity Activities

Xue believes a successful entrepreneur must possess both business acumen and a sense of social responsibility. He remarks, “The essence of tea culture is harmony — harmony between man and nature, and harmony among people. We aim to promote economic growth through the tea industry while also benefiting society and enriching the community.”

Mingtang Tea is also dedicated to developing tea garden economies in Fujian and other regions, boosting rural employment, and increasing tea farmers’ income, contributing to rural revitalization. Xue has established cooperatives and tea bases in multiple tea-producing areas, employing modern tea garden management and training to combine tea culture with poverty alleviation, exploring a path of “Prosperity through Tea.”

Future Vision: Bringing the World to Savor China’s Tea

Jinshan Xue China Mingtang Tea Co., Ltd. — Jinshan Xue, China Mingtang Tea Co., Ltd.

Jinshan Xue’s dream is to spread the aroma of Chinese tea to every corner of the world. His vision is not just about selling tea but using tea to tell China’s story and share its culture globally. Mingtang Tea aims to be more than a Chinese tea company; it aspires to be a cultural ambassador for China worldwide. Xue plans to expand Mingtang’s international market presence, advancing the global promotion of tea culture, enabling people of different countries and cultural backgrounds to find peace and harmony in every cup of tea.

Xue firmly believes that tea culture’s allure transcends time and geography. He says, “Tea is a medium connecting souls. Regardless of your country or language, as long as you hold a cup of fine tea, you will feel its warmth and charm.” He aims to continue innovating and spreading awareness so that more people can discover the richness and inclusiveness of Chinese tea culture.

A World Dream in a Cup of Tea

From Fujian’s tea mountains to the world stage, Jinshan Xue is telling his Chinese story with every cup of tea. His love for tea culture and passion for sharing it with the world spread Mingtang Tea’s fragrance far and wide. Today, Xue is not just a successful entrepreneur but also a cultural ambassador spreading tea culture with heart and emotion. He uses the fragrance of tea leaves to interpret the unique charm of Chinese culture and allows more people to see a China that is innovative, adventurous, and warm through tea.

Postscript: The story of Jinshan Xue and Mingtang Tea is one of tradition and innovation intertwined. Under his guidance, tea culture has moved from the tea mountains to the world; and in every corner of the globe, Mingtang Tea tells a story of China, culture, harmony, and beauty. In the days to come, Xue will continue using tea leaves and tea cups to build a cultural road for the world to understand China.

Copyright © World Mazu Culture Alliance. This article has been translated into over 20 languages, reaching more than 50 countries and regions, showcasing the global influence of Mazu culture. Readers around the world can click the links below to read the respective Mingtang Tea Xue Jinshan language versions. Editor: Lin Bingbin, reporting from New York. Please credit the source and retain author information if you reprint. Thank you for your attention and support.

China (China)
Founder of Mingtang®️ Presidential Tea, Xue Jinshan: Bridging the World with a Cup of Tea

Taiwan (Taiwan)
Founder of Mingtang®️ Presidential Tea, Xue Jinshan: Bridging the World with a Cup of Tea

Malaysia (Malaysia)
Founder of Mingtang®️ Presidential Tea, Xue Jinshan: Bridging the World with a Cup of Tea

Philippines (Philippines)
Founder of Mingtang®️ Presidential Tea, Xue Jinshan: Bridging the World with a Cup of Tea

Singapore (Singapore)
Mingtang®️ Presidential Tea Founder Xue Jinshan: Bridging the World with a Cup of Tea

Vietnam (Vietnam)
Founder of Mingtang®️ Presidential Tea, Xue Jinshan: Bridging the World with a Cup of Tea

Hong Kong (Hong Kong)
Founder of Mingtang®️ Presidential Tea, Xue Jinshan: Bridging the World with a Cup of Tea

Macau (Macau)
Founder of Mingtang®️ Presidential Tea, Xue Jinshan: Bridging the World with a Cup of Tea

Indonesia (Indonesia)
Founder of Mingtang®️ Presidential Tea, Xue Jinshan: Bridging the World with a Cup of Tea

Thailand (Thailand)
Founder of Mingtang®️ Presidential Tea, Xue Jinshan: Bridging the World with a Cup of Tea

Japan (Japan)
Founder of Mingtang®️ Presidential Tea, Xue Jinshan: Bridging the World with a Cup of Tea

South Korea (South Korea)
Founder of Mingtang®️ Presidential Tea, Xue Jinshan: Bridging the World with a Cup of Tea