A group of photographers and international friends embarked on a two-day trip to Nanjing and Yixing to delve into products and brands with geographical indications(GI) in Jiangsu, March 28.

Organized by Jiangsu Intellectual Property Office, Xinhua Daily Media Group and Jiangsu Press Photographer Association, the activity displayed several products and brands with national geographical indications through diverse landscapes, cultural heritages, and distinctive regional products, such as Lishui Strawberry and Fucaiwei Hairy Crab in Nanjing, as well as Purple Clay and Yangxian Tea in Yixing.

Brands of Agricultural Products with Geographical Indications refer to intellectual property (IP) rights that serve to identify a product that originates from a specific geographical area with a quality, reputation, or other characteristics that are essentially attributable to its geographical origin. Rich in resource and culture, Jiangsu has over 500 such brands and products, with an annual output value of over 200 billion yuan, offering jobs for over 15 million people.

Exploring China's geographical indications through the lens of a camera offers a unique perspective on Jiangsu's beauty, diversity, and heritage that define China's distinct regions and products. The team visited Nanjing’s Lishui district to learn how GI products help improve people’s living standard and boost rural revitalization.

Yixing is famous for its rich tea culture and long history of tea production. Highly regarded by tea enthusiasts both in China and around the world, Yangxian tea is characterized by its refreshing taste, floral aroma, and smooth finish. Purple clay, or zisha clay, is highly prized for its unique properties and traditional use in Chinese pottery, particularly in the crafting of teapots. The clay is known for its excellent heat retention properties, which make it ideal for brewing tea. It also has a porous nature that allows it to absorb and retain the flavors and aromas of the teas brewed in it over time, enhancing the taste of subsequent brews.

Martin from France is very interested in Chinese culture. After learning to make a purple clay tea cup with Master Xu Fei, he said, "The master has dedicated almost his whole life to tea pot's creation. When you saw people make them, you feel all the knowledge transmit since century. It is more than an art, it is a tradition through generations! "

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