The Chinese government adopted the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in 2013 to invest in more than 150 countries and international organisations as a global infrastructure development strategy.
The third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation occurred this week in Beijing. World leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, visited China for the opening ceremony.
President Xi Jinping delivered a keynote speech, saying China will work with all parties involved to usher Belt and Road cooperation into a new stage of high-quality development to achieve modernisation for all countries.
As part of this year’s theme: “Everything Goes Global,” CGTN explores how tomatoes are transported from their origins in China to their global influence on cuisine.
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WATCH: The story of tomatoes, everything goes global
Global circulation shapes our lives from tiny seeds and microchips to automotive products and refined petroleum. In this episode of “Everything Goes Global,” we focus on the globe-trotting journey of a tomato as it travels from the Americas to China and then to the whole world through the Silk Road.
Though seemingly ordinary, tomatoes grace the tables of almost every family worldwide. Their global journey began during the 16th-century Age of Discovery.
Originally hailing from the Americas, tomatoes were first domesticated and cultivated for food by the Aztecs of Mexico. In 1518, Spanish explorers brought tomato seeds to Europe alongside gold and spices. Initially considered poisonous, they were grown as ornamental plants.
After approximately two centuries, the pleasant sour-sweet taste made tomatoes famous in Europe, leading to their worldwide popularity.
In the East, tomatoes travelled along the Maritime Silk Road and were introduced to China during the Ming Dynasty. However, they didn’t appear on dining tables until the late Qing Dynasty.
Today, the tomato symbolizes the interconnectedness and cultural diversity of the world, featuring in dishes globally, from Chinese stir-fried tomato and eggs to Italian pasta and pizza, and even as ketchup served with French fries.
China is a leading exporter of tomatoes and tomato products, with the Xinjiang region providing an ideal environment for their cultivation. Over 80% of Xinjiang’s ketchup production is exported to Russia and Italy.
Chinese tomato products now reach over 100 countries and regions worldwide through the Belt and Road initiative, highlighting the tomato’s remarkable journey across cultures and continents.
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