Nearly 1,000 people from around the world attend the 12th China International Tea Merchants Convention in Songyang county of Lishui, Zhejiang province on March 27. [Photo/songyang.gov.cn]

The 12th China International Tea Merchants Convention kicked off in Songyang county of Lishui, Zhejiang province on March 27.

The event, together with a tea festival featuring yinhou, a famous green tea produced in Songyang, attracted nearly 1,000 tea experts, government officials and tea traders from around the world. They are expected to discuss the sustainable development of the tea industry and promote cooperation.

Activities including a series of themed seminars and field trips are also being staged during the international convention.

Tea fryers participate in a competition in Songyang county, Zhejiang province on March 28. [Photo/Lishui Daily]

In recent years, Songyang has been consolidating its position as an important tea plantation and distribution center in China.

There are 128,500 mu (85.67 square kilometers) of tea plantations in Songyang and around 40 percent of the county's population is engaged in tea-related work. Half of local farmers' incomes are derived from tea, according to official data.

Attendants at the tea event in Songyang, Zhejiang province admire the Chinese intangible cultural heritages which are being showcased on the sidelines. [Photo/WeChat account: feiyizj]

Songyang has been exploring new development modes which combine the tea sector with other industries such as tourism and information technology in hopes of boosting economic growth and achieving rural revitalization.