Fuding: White Tea Goes Global from Here

　　"The world's white tea is in China, and China's white tea is in Fuding." This proverb is widely known across the Chinese mainland. Fuding white tea is 95% exported, giving you a clear sense of how highly prized it is in international markets.

　　Since 2006, the Fuding Municipal Government has strategically guided local tea production by prioritizing white tea as the centerpiece of the city’s overall tea industry restructuring. Taking a targeted approach that expands outward, the government has steered the city’s tea gardens toward sustainable, eco-friendly, and organic practices. Today, Fuding boasts 200,000 mu of pollution-free tea plantations and has established 38,000 mu of organic and green-food-certified tea bases. As one of the earliest counties in Fujian Province to implement and promote organic tea garden development and green tea base initiatives, Fuding now leads the nation in terms of the largest area dedicated to these environmentally friendly practices. This commitment has laid a solid foundation for producing high-quality, premium white tea. Notably, since 2007, all tea samples submitted from Fuding have consistently achieved a 100% compliance rate in pesticide residue testing. Over the years, more than 100 Fuding white tea products have earned prestigious gold and silver awards at renowned domestic and international tea quality competitions. Today, while continuing to expand its presence in overseas markets, Fuding white tea is also making waves domestically, thanks to its exceptional quality and globally recognized appeal. With this strategic positioning, Fuding white tea has embarked on a clear path toward brand-building, paving the way for a new era of prosperity and innovation in the global tea industry.

　　The Time-Tested History of Fuding White Tea

　　Tea industry giant Zhang Tianfu stated in "A Study on the History of Fujian Tea": White tea was first created in Fuding, where silver needles were harvested from fresh leaves picked off the Cai Cha tree—a native tea variety found in northeastern Fujian. The Fuding Dabai tea cultivar, originally from Mount Taibao and historically known as "Lüxueya," began to be propagated around 1857. By 1865, these Dabai tea buds were already being processed into elegant silver needle white teas, hence the name "Dabai." Some scholars even argue that, in the history of Chinese tea production, white tea—not green tea—may actually represent the earliest form of tea ever developed. Their reasoning? When ancient Chinese discovered the medicinal benefits of tea leaves, they realized the need to preserve them for future use. To achieve this, they naturally air-dried or oven-dried the tender young tea buds and leaves, marking the birth of "white tea" in China's rich tea heritage.

　　Ancient Fuding white tea has a legendary origin. According to legend, Mount Taimu was formerly known as Mount Caishan. During the reign of Emperor Yao (2358–2257 BCE), an elderly woman lived there, making a living by cultivating orchids. She was kind and generous, deeply loved by the people. She used the green Snow Bud tea she grew as a sacred medicine to cure measles, saving many children. Grateful people revered her as a deity, calling her "Taimu," the Great Mother, and the mountain was thus named Mount Taimu. By the time of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, the imperial attendant Dongfang Shuo was sent to confer titles on famous mountains across the land. Consequently, Mount Taimu was honored as the foremost among the 36 famous mountains of the world and was officially renamed Mount Taimu. Today, Fuding's Mount Taimu still preserves the ancient Green Snow Bud tea tree, believed to be the original mother tree of Fuding Da Bai tea, planted by the legendary Taimu Goddess herself. Visitors can also see the cave where she discovered the Green Snow Bud tea and the Dan Well used to water the tea plants.

　　The Tang Dynasty "Tea Sage" Lu Yu recorded in *The Classic of Tea*: "Three hundred li east of Yongjia lies Mount White Tea." According to tea history expert Chen Yuan's research, "the 'three hundred li east of Yongjia' actually refers to the sea—and it appears there was a misinterpretation, with 'three hundred li south' being the correct reference. In fact, 'three hundred li south' points to Fuding in Fujian (which during the Tang dynasty fell under the jurisdiction of Changxi County), the very birthplace of white tea."

　　Professor Yao Guokun, Director of the Academic Department at the China International Tea Culture Research Association and a researcher at the Tea Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, believes that the ancestor of Fuding White Tea is at least 1,200 years old. He notes that Fuding White Tea first gained fame no later than the Tang Dynasty, when Daoist practitioners used tea in alchemical processes to brew elixirs aimed at achieving immortality—hence the tea’s nickname, "Immortal Tea." In 2009, one of China’s Top Ten Archaeological Discoveries—the Lü Family Cemetery in Lantian, Shaanxi Province—unearthed nearly 1,000-year-old white tea leaves that were remarkably well-preserved. According to Researcher Zhang Yun, who personally witnessed the excavation, these ancient tea leaves belonged to an early variety of white tea and were even listed among the imperial tributes bestowed upon the Song Dynasty court. They were highly prized and cherished by high-ranking officials and nobles of the time. One key reason Fuding White Tea has endured for millennia in pristine condition is its exceptional antioxidant properties, which have helped preserve its quality over the centuries.

　　Renowned author Professor Wang Hongjia, a senior-level professional writer at the General Logistics Department of the People's Liberation Army and an alumnus of Tsinghua University's Executive MBA program, wrote in his article "China Has a Sandu'ao": "I believe that sun-dried, preserved white tea is the ancestor of Chinese tea—could the legendary Lady Lan from over 4,000 years ago not be the very founder of China's tea-drinking tradition? It was she who first introduced tea’s medicinal properties into everyday life, ultimately transforming it into the beloved beverage we know today. Who else but Fuding’s ‘Lady Lan—the Goddess Tai’ could claim this historic role? I sincerely hope that one day, the people of Ningde’s Fuding will solemnly inscribe beneath the towering statue of Goddess Tai: ‘Mother of All Humanity’s Tea.’ After all, this is already a time-honored intangible cultural heritage passed down for more than 4,000 years."

　　The Amazing Radiation-Resistant Properties of Fuding White Tea

　　Radiation hazards have been dubbed by experts as one of the four major threats in modern society. As society continues to evolve, exposure to radiation has become virtually unavoidable—making radiation protection the ultimate personal defense battle for humanity in the 21st century. In recent years, in-depth studies conducted on white tea by European and American researchers have revealed that, compared to other types of tea, white tea contains the lowest levels of free radicals, the highest concentration of flavonoids, and an average amino acid content that surpasses even other teas. Notably, Fuding white tea exhibits particularly robust anti-radiation properties, outperforming other varieties in this regard.

　　Professor Liu Zhonghua, Vice Chairman of the China Tea Science Society, Director of the Expert Committee of the China Tea Circulation Association, and Director of the Key Laboratory at the Department of Tea Science of Hunan Agricultural University, argues in his article "Tea—The Most Effective Radiation-Anti-Radiation Beverage" that tea is the plant in nature with the highest concentration of polyphenols (especially catechins). He explains that the tea polyphenols found in tea leaves act as "free radical scavengers," helping to prevent excessive free radicals generated by radiation from damaging vital biomolecules. Specifically, tea polyphenols can donate protons to bind with radiation-induced free radicals, while also modulating radiation-related enzymes, thereby mitigating damage to immune cells and enhancing hematopoietic function.

　　Dr. Wang Yuefei, Deputy Director of the Tea Science Department at Zhejiang University, shares the same view, stating that white tea is a lightly fermented tea with a natural processing method. As a result, it experiences relatively minimal loss of catechins, preserving a higher concentration of beneficial compounds. Catechins are the key active ingredient responsible for the tea's radiation-resistant properties. Since Fuding white tea boasts a particularly high catechin content, drinking 2 to 3 cups daily can effectively help combat radiation exposure.

　　Following Japan’s massive 3.11 earthquake, Fuding urgently dispatched a batch of its renowned Fuding White Tea, sending it to Tokyo via international express delivery. The hope was that this tea—known for its radiation-resistant and protective properties—could contribute to the health and well-being of Chinese embassy staff stationed on the front lines of disaster relief efforts in Japan. It also carried the heartfelt condolences and highest respect from the people of the tea-growing region. Upon receiving the tea, our embassy in Japan was deeply moved, describing it as "a timely lifeline" from their homeland during a critical moment—and promptly sent a letter of gratitude in response.

　　Fuding White Tea – Sip Your Way to Healthy "Immortal Tea"

　　Fuding white tea boasts remarkable health benefits and boasts a rich history, with early mentions in both the *Compendium of Materia Medica* and *The Classic of Tea*. As recorded in the *Compendium of Materia Medica*: "White tea is cooling in nature and its effects are comparable to those of rhinoceros horn." Traditional Chinese medicine research confirms that white tea has a mild, cooling flavor and properties that help reduce fever, clear heat, eliminate dampness, and detoxify the body. "Every day, I drink ten cups of tea—starting with a cup of Fuding white tea," revealed Zhang Tianfu, the renowned 100-year-old master of the tea industry, sharing his time-tested wellness secret.

　　White tea may help manage diabetes.

　　Diabetes is a metabolic disorder caused by insufficient insulin production and elevated blood sugar levels, leading to imbalances in the metabolism of sugars, fats, and proteins. Recent years have seen growing interest and research from scholars both domestically and internationally into whether drinking white tea can help manage diabetes. Notably, Japanese medical doctor Goichiro Ogawa and Dr. Masaharu Minowa, among others, accidentally discovered white tea’s remarkable efficacy in treating diabetic patients with tuberculosis during their clinical work. Subsequent clinical trials conducted at Kyoto Imperial University Hospital and Prefectural Hospitals involving 10 diabetic patients demonstrated that white tea significantly improved symptoms of chronic diabetes. In China, Quanzhou People’s Hospital has successfully treated diabetes using “Songcha” (aged white tea aged over 70 years), achieving an effective rate of up to 70%. Meanwhile, in Fuding—the birthplace of white tea—local tea experts selected several patients with high blood sugar levels for an experiment, revealing that 71% of these individuals achieved complete recovery from hyperglycemia simply by adopting a consistent habit of drinking white tea for six months. Thus, scientific evidence strongly supports the idea that consuming white tea can play a preventive and therapeutic role in managing diabetes. The polyphenols and esters found in white tea promote insulin synthesis, while catechins containing polysaccharides help reduce excess sugar in the bloodstream. Moreover, tea polyphenols exert a regulatory effect on the body’s carbohydrate metabolism, effectively lowering blood glucose levels and making white tea a valuable tool for both preventing and treating diabetes. Dr. Han Chi, a researcher at the Institute of Food and Nutrition under China’s Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and Deputy Secretary-General of the Chinese Association of Food Toxicology, recently published a paper highlighting white tea’s potent immune-boosting properties, as well as its impressive ability to help maintain balanced blood sugar levels.

　　White tea may help prevent cerebrovascular diseases.

　　Cerebrovascular diseases are relatively common conditions, including cerebral embolism, cerebral thrombosis, and cerebral hemorrhage, all of which have a high incidence rate and significantly impact human health. But why can white tea help prevent these cerebrovascular disorders? That’s because white tea possesses anticoagulant and fibrinolytic properties, effectively modulating a hypercoagulable state—without the side effects typically associated with conventional anticoagulant medications. As a result, it plays a remarkable role in promoting overall health and reducing the risk of disease. Clinical evidence shows that after consuming white tea for 2 to 3 weeks, whole blood viscosity decreased from 4.77 to 4.31 (P < 0.01), plasma viscosity dropped from 1.66 to 1.58 (P < 0.01), and whole blood reduced viscosity fell from 8.58 to 7.97 (P < 0.01). These comprehensive reductions in blood viscosity clearly demonstrate that white tea can lower blood viscosity, alleviate a hypercoagulable state, enhance blood flow, improve circulation, and ultimately help prevent thrombus formation.

　　White tea is effective in lowering blood pressure.

　　White tea can help lower blood pressure, thanks to the unique combination of its chemical components. It’s rich in catechins, vitamin C, and vitamin P. Catechins enhance the absorption of vitamin C, while vitamin C plays a key role in helping cholesterol move from artery walls to the liver, thereby reducing cholesterol levels in the bloodstream. Additionally, vitamin C strengthens blood vessel elasticity and improves their permeability. White tea also indirectly promotes blood pressure reduction by promoting diuresis and sodium excretion. Moreover, theophylline—a compound found in tea—helps relax blood vessels, allowing blood to flow more freely and further aiding in lowering blood pressure. To this day, traditional Chinese medicine practitioners in Fujian province frequently prescribe "Bai Hao Yin Zhen" (Silver Needle White Tea), and today, Bai Hao Yin Zhen’s effectiveness in treating hypertension has gained international recognition.

　　Regularly drinking white tea can boost antiviral defenses and enhance immunity.

　　Recent research suggests that white tea extract may help prevent the growth of bacteria responsible for staph infections, strep infections, pneumonia, and tooth decay. Researchers at Pace University in the U.S. found that white tea extract can effectively disrupt disease-causing tissues even in laboratory settings. Repeated studies on white tea extract have also demonstrated its potential to combat deadly human viruses. Additionally, incorporating white tea extract into various toothpaste formulations has been shown to enhance their antibacterial efficacy. The study further revealed that white tea extract exhibits strong antifungal properties against both Penicillium fungi and yeast strains, completely inhibiting the growth of Penicillium spores and yeast cells under its influence—highlighting white tea extract's remarkable ability to combat pathogenic fungi.

　　Drinking white tea is becoming trendy.

　　As the quality of life improves, people are increasingly focusing on their own health. As a result, Fuding white tea—known for its health-promoting benefits—is gaining popularity among urban white-collar workers. Drinking white tea has become a trendy way for people to enhance their physical and mental well-being while pursuing a healthier lifestyle.

　　A remarkable story unfolded in Fuzhou's Sanfang Qixiang district, where 100 journalists gathered to discuss white tea—and soon after, Fuding white tea became the star attraction, drawing over 10,000 people in Guangzhou eager to sample it. It’s now widely regarded as the signature tea of Guangzhou’s teahouses. According to Luo Shaojun, former director of the National Tea Quality Supervision and Testing Center, "Sipping Fuding white tea is akin to enjoying wild ginseng—its health-promoting and wellness-enhancing benefits are truly extraordinary." Meanwhile, Han Chi, a researcher at the Institute of Food and Nutrition under China’s Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and deputy secretary-general of the China Association of Food Toxicology, highlights that drinking white tea can help protect brain neurons, boost memory retention, and even alleviate anxiety. More impressively, he notes that white tea shows remarkable effectiveness in repairing DNA damage caused by smoking—a benefit that sets it apart from other teas. Renowned writer He Zhenbang shares his lifelong passion for white tea: "I’ve been savoring white tea since infancy, giving me over 70 years of tea-drinking experience. Though I’ve tried countless famous teas across the country and earned the playful nickname ‘Beijing’s No. 1 tea enthusiast,’ none have left as indelible a mark on me as my unforgettable encounter with Fuding white tea during a literary expedition led by the celebrated Fujian-born author Hai Xining on Mount Taibao in mid-May 2009."

　　As market demand continued to grow, on April 19, 2010, Fuding’s new white tea product—white tea beverage—officially launched after successfully passing the science and technology achievement appraisal by the provincial Department of Science and Technology. This breakthrough technology filled a significant gap in the domestic market for white tea-based beverages. Xiamen Daimei Cosmetics Co., Ltd., through extensive research, discovered that white tea contains polyphenol concentrations several times higher than those found in other types of tea. Polyphenols are renowned for their powerful antioxidant properties, helping neutralize free radicals, relieve heat, combat bacteria, inhibit oxidation, and even protect against radiation damage. Thanks to these remarkable benefits, white tea has become an ideal ingredient for developing advanced, intensive skincare products. As a result, white tea-infused skincare items—such as whitening creams, serums, and facial masks—have gained widespread popularity among female consumers. Today, white tea-derived products like white tea toothpaste and white tea soap are increasingly available in the market. Meanwhile, scientists and researchers continue to explore the vast potential of white tea, ensuring that its exceptional health and beauty benefits will be harnessed even more effectively to serve humanity in the future.

　　The exquisite "Fuding White Tea"

　　In April 2011, the CARD Agricultural Brand Research Center at Zhejiang University—currently the only institution in China's universities dedicated exclusively to agricultural brand research—released the "2011 China Agricultural Products Regional Public Brand Value Report." The report unveiled detailed data highlighting the current status of the establishment and development of regional public brands for agricultural products across China. Among them, Fuding’s “Fuding White Tea” was evaluated at a brand value of 2.445 billion yuan, ranking fifth among the top ten regional tea brands nationwide and securing its place within the nation’s top 100 agricultural product regional public brands. This marked the first authoritative valuation of the intangible assets embedded in the “Fuding White Tea” brand.

　　Fuding white tea repeatedly fetches sky-high prices at auctions.

　　The popularity of Fuding white tea in China can be glimpsed from the sky-high prices repeatedly achieved at auctions.

　　At the 2nd Cross-Strait Tea Expo held on November 17, 2008, in Wuyishan City, Fujian Province, Kinmen Liquor Industry Co., Ltd. secured a "sky-high" bid of 560,000 RMB for a "Fuding White Tea Brick." Mr. Ye from Kinmen Liquor Industry, who successfully acquired the Fuding white tea brick, remarked: "Fuding white tea stands out not only for its exceptional quality but also for its rich cultural significance. The tea brick we’ve just purchased will be showcased and promoted in Taiwan. Moving forward, we plan to leverage Taiwan’s expertise in tea production, processing, and marketing—along with Fuding’s renowned reputation—to jointly develop the white tea industry and collaboratively build an international brand for Fuding white tea."

　　On April 20, 2011, at the Yuyuan Tea Culture and Art Festival held in Shanghai, a 20-year-old Fuding white tea cake fetched an astonishing price of 188,000 yuan, sparking keen interest among tea collectors who recognized its significant investment potential. Then, on November 24, during the 12th Guangzhou Tea Expo and the 2011 Guangzhou International Tea Industry Expo, a 30-year-old, a 26-year-old, and a 20-year-old aged white teas were sold for 176,000 yuan, 174,000 yuan, and 172,000 yuan respectively, setting new records as the highest-ever auction prices for vintage white tea collectibles. Finally, on December 14, 2011, at Beijing’s Malian Dao Tea Market, a 150-gram piece of 20-year-old Fuding old white tea produced by Pinpinxiang Tea Company was snapped up for an impressive 48,000 yuan. But what makes these teas command such sky-high prices? Industry insiders attribute this phenomenon to the unique health benefits of Fuding white tea, famously described as "tea for one year, medicine for three."

　　The Prestigious Recognition of Fuding White Tea

　　In May 2009, "Fuding White Tea" was officially approved as a National Geographical Indication Product and granted formal protection, covering the administrative area currently under the jurisdiction of Fuding City, Fujian Province. In January 2010, the geographical indication certification trademark for "Fuding White Tea" was recognized as a China Famous Trademark. On July 8, 2010, the White Tea Working Group of the National Technical Committee for Tea Standardization was officially established in Fuding, marking the official adoption of the "National Standard for White Tea" in the city. In August 2010, the Ministry of Culture announced the third batch of the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, and the unique craftsmanship behind Fuding White Tea was proudly elevated to the status of a "National Treasure."

　　Fuding White Tea's Glorious Journey

　　2008:

　　★On June 19, the inaugural China White Tea Culture Festival officially kicked off in Fuding City.

　　★On June 28, Fuding White Tea was selected as "China's First Tea Nominated for the Olympic Bid," serving as the sole representative of white tea varieties.

　　★On July 5, China's largest Olympic-themed white tea brick, gifted by the Fuding Municipal Government to the Beijing Olympics, officially departed from Fuding and headed to Beijing.

　　★On July 12, the People's Government of Fuding City jointly signed a military-civilian cooperation agreement with the Honor Guard Unit of the Chinese People's Liberation Army. As a result, Fuding White Tea has become the exclusive tea served to the Honor Guard Unit.

　　★In October 2008, the Shanghai Great World Guinness Headquarters officially recognized the 500-kg "Fuding White Tea Brick," produced under the supervision of the Fuding Municipal People's Government, as China’s largest tea brick and presented it with an official certificate.

　　★On October 28, Fuding City was awarded the National Demonstration Base for Agricultural Product Processing (Fuding White Tea) by the Ministry of Agriculture.

　　In 2008, seven tea companies from Fuding City participated in the 4th National "Zhonglv Cup" for Famous and Excellent Green Teas, the 15th Shanghai International Tea Culture Festival's "China Famous Tea" competition, the 5th Fujian Province "Mincha Cup" for Famous and Excellent Teas, the 3rd "Oriental Charm Cup" for Chinese Famous Teas, the 5th China International Tea Industry Expo's competition for Famous and Excellent Teas, the 7th (South Korea) International Famous Tea Expo, and the Chinese Tea Brand "Golden Bud Award" selection, collectively winning 15 gold medals and 5 silver medals.

　　2009:

　　★On August 10, the results of the biennial national "Zhongcha Cup" competition for premium and high-quality teas were announced—Fuding City won 4 Grand Prizes and 17 First Prizes.

　　★On November 13, the third Cross-Strait Tea Expo held its sub-event in Fuding, where the White Tea Summit Forum was grandly convened. The United Nations Pavilion and the Fuding Municipal People's Government signed an agreement designating "Taibao Yin Zhen" white tea as the official tea exclusively available at the UN Pavilion.

　　★On November 3, Fuding White Tea, as a quintessential representative of Chinese white tea, was selected as one of the "Top 10 Famous Teas of China Expo."

　　2010:

　　On April 30, Xi Jinping, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Secretary of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, Vice President of the People's Republic of China, and President of the Central Party School, visited the United Nations Pavilion in Shanghai. Accompanied by Mr. Avani Benan, Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations and Chief Representative of the UN Pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo, Xi warmly sampled white tea at the demonstration table showcasing China’s Top Ten Famous Teas during the Expo.

　　★On May 15, Fuding White Tea officially made its debut at the United Nations Pavilion of the Shanghai World Expo as one of China’s "Top Ten Famous Teas of the Expo."

　　★On June 2, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Sun Chunlan and her delegation visited Fuding to inspect white tea enterprises, accompanied by Chen Rongkai, who was then Secretary of the Ningde Municipal Party Committee.

　　★On August 6, the "World Harmony Tea Ceremony" kicked off at the United Nations Pavilion of the Shanghai Expo. Chen Xinghua, then Deputy Secretary of the Fuding Municipal Party Committee, represented the 570,000 residents of Fuding in presenting Fuding white tea to Avani Benan, UN Under-Secretary-General and Chief Representative of the UN Pavilion—a gift that will be permanently displayed at the UN Pavilion headquarters for global audiences to admire.

　　★On November 19, the provincial local standard for Fuding White Tea, a geographically indicated product, was officially released.

　　2011:

　　★On March 16, 2011, the establishment of a tea quality traceability system was launched in Fuding. Fuding City is the only county-level city in Fujian Province piloting the implementation of a quality traceability system for tea products. Since 2007, Fuding has been actively involved in the national pilot program for building a product quality and safety traceability system in the agricultural sector, as well as the Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) initiative.

　　★In April, at the 2011 China Tea Convention, the "China Tea Regional Public Brand Value Assessment Team"—a joint initiative by Zhejiang University's CARD Agricultural Brand Research Center, China Tea Magazine, and the Tea Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, in collaboration with ChinaTea.com—released the "2011 China Tea Regional Public Brand Value." The Fuding White Tea brand was valued at 2.445 billion yuan, ranking fifth among the top ten regional tea brands nationwide.

　　On April 11, the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Japan sent a letter of gratitude to Fuding City, expressing sincere appreciation to the Fuding municipal government and its people for providing anti-radiation Fuding white tea. This gesture served as a vital health drink offering radiation protection to Chinese diplomats and embassy staff working tirelessly on the frontlines of earthquake relief efforts in Japan. Additionally, on April 15, Cheng Yonghua, the Special Envoy and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Japan, also presented a certificate of thanks to Fuding City.

　　★On June 24, Fuding Fangming Tea Industry Co., Ltd. collaborated with research institutes to jointly develop a new product—Cordyceps White Tea—with Tianxin Biotechnology Co., Ltd. This innovative creation fills the gap between Fuding white tea and cutting-edge biotechnology, marking a milestone in elevating Fuding white tea to premium consumer markets and representing a groundbreaking achievement in the history of Fuding white tea.

　　★On September 16, the 3rd "Fuding White Tea Cup" Cross-Strait Tea Art TV Open concluded successfully in Fuding. Organized by the Fujian Provincial Department of Agriculture, the Cross-Strait Tea Industry Exchange Association, and Fujian Provincial Radio & Television Group, and hosted by the Fuding Municipal People's Government and Fujian TV Comprehensive Channel, the competition drew over 3,000 contestants from both sides of the Taiwan Strait and spanned more than three months.