Zhang Zhengku: The First Initiator of the New Century Fuding White Tea Promotion

　　From a young age, he was deeply drawn to military life. In February 1978, through his own hard work and determination, he finally achieved his lifelong dream of becoming a proud member of the armed forces, embarking on a three-year journey as a soldier. He honorably discharged in January 1981. During his time in the military, he consistently excelled, earning three commendations and being awarded the title of "First-Class Technical Expert" among other accolades.

　　Before venturing into the tea business, Zhang Zhengku served as an assistant accountant at the Fuding City Agricultural Bureau, later going on to become the director of the Fuding Natural Fragrance Tea Factory. Throughout his career, he earned numerous prestigious accolades, including "Outstanding Assistant Accountant" and "Provincial Advanced Worker." Yet, despite these achievements, he couldn’t shake a growing sense of restlessness. In 1984, riding the wave of China’s reform and opening-up policy, state-owned enterprises began facing increasingly restrictive market conditions for their products—particularly in the tea sector. Recognizing the shifting landscape, Zhang Zhengku made the bold decision to leave the public sector and embrace entrepreneurship. From that point on, tea became his primary focus. By 1988, he had secured a significant green tea deal in Zhejiang, clinching a contract worth 80,000 yuan—and it was this breakthrough that marked the beginning of his first major financial success in the business world.

　　As his business grew larger and more successful, Zhang Zhengku turned his attention to the Beijing market. In 1992, he moved to Beijing, where, lacking any established connections, he purchased a used car and personally reached out to various organizations—often facing rejection yet persistently engaging with people in a polite and professional manner. Through unwavering determination, he eventually secured a small space of his own by 1993, marking the beginning of his foothold in the city. From there, his business steadily flourished. As Beijing’s business environment continued to improve, he adapted his strategies accordingly, ultimately solidifying his company’s niche focus on white tea. By 2002, he had officially launched his Southeast White Tea Co., Ltd., successfully transitioning from factory director to chairman of the board.

　　Canadian guests inspect the company's white tea base.

　　For Beijing residents, black tea, green tea, and floral teas may not be strangers—but when it comes to white tea, few people are likely to know much about it. Yet, despite its relatively low profile, Zhang Zhengku has made white tea his flagship product. And on this decision, Zhang Zhengku has his own well-thought-out reasons.

　　In 2001, the variety of tea available in Beijing surged dramatically, prompting Zhang Zhengku’s tea business to urgently rethink its strategy. During his research, he discovered that in eastern Fujian province, local residents—when suffering from fever, toothaches, or even measles—often turned to drinking locally grown white tea instead of seeking medical care. Meanwhile, according to medical studies conducted by international experts, tea contains numerous beneficial compounds that not only promote overall health but may even help inhibit the growth of cancer cells. These groundbreaking findings filled Zhang Zhengku with excitement. Determined to help more customers enjoy both the pleasure and health benefits of tea, a new plan began taking shape in his mind. After overcoming numerous challenges and setbacks, with the invaluable support of his friends, Zhang finally launched his white tea company in 2002.

　　Nowadays, whenever white tea is mentioned, Zhang Zhengku still enthusiastically shares its various health benefits with you. You can sense his passionate eagerness to promote the idea of drinking white tea for a healthier lifestyle—right from the way he talks about wrapped tea!

　　Tea Industry Skills Certification Center Establishes Itself at Southeast White Tea Company

　　After 2002, as tea consumption among Beijing residents gradually became more widespread and continued to rise, the number of tea merchants grew steadily—and so did competition, especially as the public developed a particular fondness for teas like Tieguanyin and Pu-erh. Meanwhile, the business of white tea also began facing significant challenges.

　　In response to this, Zhang Zhengku has his own unique strategy. Right from the company’s inception, he adopted a grassroots promotional marketing approach, distributing 500 free samples of white tea directly to consumers—especially those with slightly elevated blood pressure or blood sugar levels. He took a personalized interest in understanding their needs and concerns, then used the feedback and tracking data collected from these initial trials to refine the product further. As a result, everyone who tried the white tea quickly came to embrace it, helping the brand gradually build a loyal customer base of its own.

　　While enjoying strong sales domestically, Zhang Zhengku has also actively leveraged modern technology to connect with numerous international friends online. These foreign acquaintances have shown great interest in Zhang Zhengku’s white tea, first learning about it through Beijing’s gateway—and then even visiting his production facility to explore the process firsthand. Relying on the exceptional quality of his products and a commitment to honest business practices, Zhang Zhengku has successfully established partnerships with many overseas customers. As a result, his business continues to thrive and grow stronger every day.

　　Tea industry expert Luo Shaojun (left) visits the company's base to inspect white tea production.

　　While business is booming, Zhang Zhengku remains deeply committed to the health benefits that tea-drinking brings to citizens. Currently, he is advocating for the nation to officially fund research into the medicinal value of tea, aiming to help more consumers gain a deeper understanding of tea's remarkable health advantages. Meanwhile, Chairman Zhang himself continues to push the boundaries of product quality. Under his visionary leadership, all employees at Southeast White Tea have united as one, achieving remarkable milestones and earning prestigious accolades time and again. The company’s products have repeatedly claimed top honors in national tea quality competitions, including titles like "Tea King," Gold Awards, and Silver Awards. Additionally, the company’s white tea has been proudly recognized as a renowned Fujian Province tea. Notably, the company’s white tea has been consistently supplied to the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, earning unanimous praise from both committee members and esteemed experts. Beyond this, the company has secured several key certifications, including Organic Tea Certification, Ningde City’s Well-Known Trademark status, and the Geographical Indication Certificate for Fuding White Tea under the "Duoqi" brand, awarded by China’s State Administration for Market Regulation. Furthermore, the company has been endorsed as a trusted tea brand through the China Green Project and was officially designated as the "2009 White Peony Needle Specified Supplier" by the China Tea Museum. Today, the company proudly stands as a leading enterprise in Ningde City.

　　Chairman Zhang Zhengku, guided by the business philosophy of "Southeast White Tea, Trustworthiness Worldwide; Duoji Quality, Leading to Wellness," remains committed to putting customers first. By earning trust and winning hearts through integrity, he ensures that the company continually strengthens its capabilities—driven by superior quality and exceptional service. This dedication allows more consumers to enjoy safe, high-quality white tea, enabling them to savor the joy of tea while also reaping the benefits of a healthier lifestyle.

　　Aerial view of the new factory building