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 grapes are transported from their origins in China to their global influence on cuisine.
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WATCH: The story of grapes, 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,” content partner CGTN delves into the journey of grapes along the ancient Silk Road.
Grapes, among the most versatile fruits globally, can be enjoyed fresh, as raisins, or as jams. Countless grape varieties flourish worldwide, but West Asians savoured them first 8,000 years ago.
Later, grapes ventured to the Mediterranean, Central Asia, and South America. The grape’s path to China commenced around 2,000 years ago when Zhang Qian, an envoy from China’s Western Han Dynasty, embarked on a diplomatic trip to Central Asia, laying the foundation for the Ancient Silk Road.
Zhang returned with grape seeds from Central Asia, and wine production followed. Initially, they produced small, bitter, and tart volumes of wine. However, 800 years later, during the Tang Dynasty, advanced winemaking methods made wine consumption common.
Tang Dynasty poetry, like that of the famous poet Li Bai, further popularised wine. In 2022, China accounted for over 18% of global grape production, ranking among the top ten wine-consuming nations and the 8th largest wine importer by volume. France supplied over 40% of China’s wine imports in 2022.
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