London, June 28 (local time) — The 2nd International Bing Xin Literary Award & Global Chinese Literature Prize ceremony was held with high distinction in London, UK, drawing attention from across the international literary community. Among this year’s laureates was Bao Lili, known as the “Tea Fairy” and a leading voice in Chinese tea culture. Her bilingual work Awakening: A Kingdom of Tea and the Civilization of Nature, the first volume in her trilogy Three Civilizations of Tea, earned her the prestigious award—highlighting her role in introducing the philosophy and beauty of tea to the world through literature.

Supported by the UNESCO Peace Centre, the International Bing Xin Literary Award is regarded as a global lifetime achievement prize. It recognizes outstanding contributions across all literary genres and languages. Inspired by the ideals of the beloved Chinese author Bing Xin—who believed that “with love, there is everything”—the award has earned the endorsement of Nobel laureates and acclaimed writers from G20 nations. Each writer can receive the honor only once, making it a rare and deeply meaningful distinction.

Tea is more than a drink—it is a cultural thread woven through 5,000 years of Chinese civilization. Over 4,700 years ago, a leaf fell into boiling water and changed its taste—thus began the story of tea. Since then, the aroma of tea has lingered through the pages of history, nourishing not only the lives of the Chinese people but also cultures around the world. Today, tea is grown in more than 60 countries and cherished in over 160—part of the shared rhythm of daily life across continents. It has become one of China’s most enduring cultural gifts to the world.

Tea Fairy Bao Lili has devoted more than two decades to the study and practice of tea. Driven by a deep reverence for its vitality, she spent five years traveling through remote tea mountains, interviewing artisans, and immersing herself in both ancient and modern tea traditions. From this journey emerged her Three Civilizations of Tea series—Awakening, Attitude, and Elegance—which explores tea across three dimensions: nature, craft, and cultural interpretation. The series offers an in-depth look at tea’s origins, its processing and brewing methods, and its cultural transmission, innovation, and global resonance.

Madam Bing Xin herself was a devoted tea lover. Her literary philosophy—centered on love, truth, kindness, beauty, and compassion—closely aligns with the spirit of tea: its harmony with nature and its deep cultural significance. For Tea Fairy Bao Lili, tea is more than a botanical leaf; it is an emotional language, a tribute to the land, and a universal identity she carries with her across borders.

Through literature, Tea Fairy Bao Lili hopes that more people around the world will come to appreciate the rich heritage and bright future of Chinese tea—allowing its subtle aroma to leave an even deeper imprint on the global literary landscape.