Engaging with National Treasure Tea Masters from Sanxia: Lee Shu-hsiang Pledges Full Support for New Taipei's Artisan Spirit

KMT New Taipei mayoral candidate Lee Shu-hsiang visited Huang Wen-hsiung's Green Product Tea Factory in Sanxia today (9th), engaging in deep dialogue with local national treasure-level tea masters and experiencing the tea-making process firsthand. Lee stated that tea cultivation and production are the results of persistent dedication over decades, and expressed his commitment to integrating policies with tourism and industry to fully promote New Taipei City's artisan spirit, making the energy of its traditional industries and techniques visible to more people.

Huang Wen-hsiung, a national treasure-level tea master with 70 years of experience, personally demonstrated the traditional hand-rolling technique for Longjing tea at 86 years old. Despite the workbench temperature reaching approximately 50 degrees Celsius, Huang performed repeated pressing and rolling motions with remarkable agility. He shared with Lee that in earlier days, tea-rolling could last up to 12 hours a day, with hardly any rest for the hands, and emphasized that one must not fear burns to endure the high heat. With deep conviction, he stated, "This technique must absolutely be passed down."

In addition to Master Huang, Lee also exchanged insights with several local tea artisans, including Tai Wen-hsiang—a nationally recognized young farmer and chairman of the Sanxia chapter of the New Taipei Young Farmers Association—as well as Huang Yao-kuan, Fan Tien-kuei, Chou Yu-shu, and Chou Tzu-yao, while participating in tea-making activities. Notably, 27-year-old Chou Tzu-yao is already the eighth generation in his family to inherit the craft. Choosing to return to his hometown, he not only upholds traditional processes but also actively transforms tea leaves into diverse products, injecting youthful creativity and vitality into traditional industries.

Lee emphasized that Sanxia's tea industry carries over six decades of artisan spirit. From Huang Wen-hsiung and Tai Wen-hsiang to younger artisans like Chou Tzu-yao, the intergenerational transmission of craftsmanship and expertise represents a precious cultural asset for New Taipei City. He pledged to continue supporting local tea farmers through policy initiatives, promoting marketing, encouraging youth to return to agriculture, and strengthening the inheritance of traditional industries and techniques, ensuring that the "light of New Taipei" shines brighter for all to see.