Zuo Ruyu, a tea master from Taiwan, developed the Taining Gongfu tea system in Meikou township, Fujian province. The system integrates techniques from Taiwan with local ones. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A tea master from Taiwan who settled in Meikou township of Taining county, Fujian province, seven years ago, merged Taiwan's tea techniques with local ones and in the process helped nearly 20 Taiwan-invested tea companies boost cross-Strait cooperation.

Zuo has traveled frequently between Taiwan and the Chinese mainland over the years. She searches for high-quality tea sources, exchanges tea-making skills with peers and hosts regular tea events.

Zuo Ruyu, a tea master from Taiwan, developed the Taining Gongfu tea system in Meikou township, Fujian province. The system integrates techniques from Taiwan with local ones. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Her dedication to tea and her commitment to cross-Strait exchanges stem from her upbringing. Born into a tea-making family in Taiwan, Zuo inherited techniques for making six major kinds of tea and has since developed more than 100 new tea products in about 20 years.

She was invited to inspect Taining's tea-growing mountains in 2018. Attracted by the area's pristine environment and diverse varieties of tea, she determined to settle and develop her career there. That choice received strong support from the local government.

Zuo Ruyu, a tea master from Taiwan, developed the Taining Gongfu tea system in Meikou township, Fujian province. The system integrates techniques from Taiwan with local ones. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Meikou township set up a team to provide services for Taiwan-invested enterprises, covering everything from business registration to support for daily life. Local authorities helped to build the Fujian-Taiwan industrial park, fostered tea-related enterprises, introduced high-quality tea varieties and established a complete industrial chain from tea gardens to teacups, laying a solid foundation for Zuo's tea business and cross-Strait exchanges.

Zuo Ruyu, a tea master from Taiwan, developed the Taining Gongfu tea system in Meikou township, Fujian province. The system integrates techniques from Taiwan with local ones. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

"People here are more warmhearted than the tea itself," Zuo has been quoted as saying. That sentiment motivates her to continue developing her Taining Gongfu tea system and drives her to turn tea traditions into a cultural bridge.