Dianhong Black Tea Factory in Fengqing County, Lincang

Yunnan Dianhong Group Co., Ltd. (Yunnan Dianhong Group/(云南滇红集团股份有限公司)) is a leading enterprise in national poverty alleviation and a key enterprise in agricultural industrialization in Yunnan Province. The company is also recognized as a major player in the forestry industry in the region and a leading tea company in Yunnan. It has been recognized as one of the top 100 enterprises in China’s tea industry for five consecutive years.

In November 2019, the company was listed as a representative protection unit for the national intangible cultural heritage project, specifically for the tea-making techniques of Dianhong tea (滇红茶制作技艺).

Company Information

• Company Name: Yunnan Dianhong Group Co., Ltd.

• Industry: Wine, Beverage, and Refined Tea Manufacturing

• Established: December 26, 1996

• Legal Representative: Wang Tianquan (王天权)

• Headquarters: Fengqing County (凤庆县), Lincang City (临沧市), Yunnan Province, China

• Company Type: Other Joint-Stock Companies (Non-listed)

• Unified Social Credit Code: 915300002195212304

• Enterprise Address: Nancheng New District, Fengqing County, Lincang City, Yunnan Province (滇红生态产业园)

Company Overview

Yunnan Dianhong Group Co., Ltd. is a major entity in the tea, agriculture, forestry, and poverty alleviation sectors. Established in March 1939, it specializes in tea production and processing, with a fixed asset value of 673 million yuan and a workforce of 526 employees. The company has tea plantations spanning an area of 30,700 acres (with 20,000 acres certified as organic by the Swiss IMO). The annual production capacity is 15,000 tons.

Chairman’s Profile

The Chairman and CEO of Yunnan Dianhong Group is Wang Tianquan, who has led the company through years of growth and development in the tea industry.

Major Achievements

• National Quality Silver Award

• Chinese Famous Tea

• National Foreign Affairs Tea

• “China Tea Brand”

• “Yunnan Provincial Famous Trademark”

Chairman’s Resume

Wang Tianquan (王天权), a native of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (广西壮族自治区), graduated in 1982 from the School of Mechanical Engineering at Guangxi University (广西大学). He is currently the Chairman and CEO of Fengtang Group (凤糖集团), Dianhong Group (滇红集团), and Yunnan Sunshine Sugar Industry Co., Ltd. (云南阳光糖业有限公司). He also holds several honorary titles, including Executive Director of the China Sugar Association (中国糖业协会), Visiting Professor at Guangxi University, Executive Director of the Guangxi System Engineering Society (广西系统工程学会), Chairman of the Guangxi Sugar Industry Committee (广西制糖学委员会), Standing Committee Member of the Lincang City Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) (临沧市政协), Executive Committee Member of the Lincang City Federation of Industry and Commerce (临沧市工商联合会), Standing Committee Member of both the Yunnan Province (云南省) and Fengqing County (凤庆县) CPPCCs, and Vice Chairman of the Yunnan Province Federation of Industry and Commerce (云县工商联合会).

Mr. Wang has been awarded several honors, such as “Top 100 Excellent Industrial Entrepreneurs of Yunnan Province” (云南省百名优秀工业企业家), “Outstanding Builder of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics in Yunnan” (云南省优秀中国特色社会主义事业建设者), “Entrepreneur Star in Private Enterprises in Yunnan” (云南省非公有制企业创业之星), and “Outstanding CPPCC Member” (优秀政协委员). He is also the first Chinese entrepreneur to be awarded the “Ambassador of Love” title by the China Disabled Persons’ Federation (中国残联).

Group Introduction

The origins of Dianhong Group (滇红集团) trace back to the Shunning Experimental Tea Factory (顺宁实验茶厂), founded in 1939. In 1954, following the name change of the county, it was renamed Yunnan Fengqing Tea Factory (云南省凤庆茶厂), the birthplace of the famous Dianhong tea (滇红). In 1996, with approval from the Yunnan Provincial Reform and Development Committee (云南省体改委), the company restructured into the Dianhong Group.

Today, Dianhong Group has total assets of 413 million yuan (excluding intangible assets such as brand value of 260 million yuan), and owns 30,700 acres of tea plantations (20,000 acres certified as organic by Switzerland’s IMO). The company operates 85 primary processing factories and has production bases distributed across Fengqing County (凤庆县) and Gengma County (耿马县).

Dianhong Group has long been a designated producer for national export of black tea and is responsible for producing the “national black tea standard physical samples.” In 1958, Dianhong‘s premium Gongfu tea (滇红工夫茶) was designated as China’s official diplomatic tea, and in 1986, the then Yunnan Provincial Governor, He Zhiqiang (和志强), presented it as a state gift to Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom (英国女王伊丽莎白二世) during her visit to China. In December 2006, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China (中国外交部) awarded the “Dianhong Tea” series the title of “Exclusive Gift Tea for Overseas Embassies” (驻外使馆专用礼品茶). In 2008, the “Dianhong Premium Gongfu Tea” (滇红特级工夫茶) was designated as the “Official Gift Tea for the Beijing Paralympic Games” (北京残奥会专用礼品茶).

In June 2009, Dianhong Group accompanied President Hu Jintao‘s (胡锦涛) trade delegation on visits to Russia (俄罗斯), Belarus (白俄罗斯), and Ukraine (乌克兰). In September 2010, it participated in a business inspection in Sri Lanka (斯里兰卡) with the Yunnan Provincial Government (云南省政府) delegation. Later in December 2010, the group joined the Chinese trade delegation led by Premier Wen Jiabao (温家宝) on business visits to India (印度) and Pakistan (巴基斯坦). In 2011, three products, including “Dayun Red Fragrance” (大运红香), were designated as licensed products for the 26th Summer Universiade (深圳2011年第26届世界大学生夏季运动会) held in Shenzhen (深圳). In February 2012, the Vice Premier of the State Council (国务院副总理), Hui Liangyu (回良玉), visited Lincang (临沧) to inspect the Dianhong tea industry and the “Feng” brand Dianhong tea (凤牌滇红茶).

Company’s Achievements

Dianhong Group‘s “Feng” brand trademark (凤牌) was registered in 1983 and is a well-known trademark in Yunnan Province (云南省). Its black tea has been continuously recognized as a Yunnan Provincial Famous Brand Product (云南省名牌产品). In April 2011, the “Feng” brand was awarded the title of “Chinese Time-Honored Brand” (中华老字号) by the Ministry of Commerce of China (国家商务部). In April 2012, Dianhong Group‘s “Feng” brand trademark was officially recognized as a “Well-Known Trademark of China” (中国驰名商标) by the State Administration for Industry and Commerce (国家工商行政管理总局).

Throughout the years, Dianhong Gongfu tea (滇红工夫茶) has won multiple National Silver Quality Awards (国家银质奖), and several of its products have been awarded gold medals and titles like “Tea King” (茶王). The company is recognized as a national leader in poverty alleviation (国家扶贫), a key enterprise in Yunnan’s agricultural industrialization (云南省农业产业化), a major player in the forestry industry in the province (云南省林业产业), and one of the top 100 tea companies in China (全国茶叶行业百强企业).

Dianhong Group‘s Tea Research Institute (滇红集团茶叶科学研究院) has a history of over 30 years. The institute boasts a large-scale tea tree germplasm resource nursery, preserving over 300 varieties of tea trees from across the country. It has also collected and preserved more than 400 tea tree breeding materials, providing a unique R&D platform for the sustainable development of the company. In 2008, the group was recognized as a provincial-level enterprise technology center (省级企业技术中心) by the Yunnan Provincial Economic Commission (云南省经委).

Guiding Philosophy

In alignment with the Yunnan Provincial People’s Government‘s document on accelerating the development of the tea industry (Yunnan Provincial Government Document [2010] No. 173), and the guidance from the Lincang Municipal Government (临沧市), the Fengqing County Government (凤庆县), as well as the visit from Vice Governor He Duanqi (和段琪) on May 11, 2011, proposing the creation of the “Dianhong Ecological Industrial Park” (滇红生态产业园), Dianhong Group aims to seize the opportunity provided by the 12th Five-Year Plan (十二五规划) at the national, provincial, and municipal levels. The Dianhong Ecological Industrial Park was officially launched on September 28, 2011. The company’s future development strategy focuses on building a renowned brand for Lincang (临沧), China, and the world.

Development Goals

By 2015, the goal is to make Dianhong Group an IPO-listed company in China. Over the next five years, the group aims to achieve a production value of 1 billion yuan, and within ten years, 5 billion yuan. By 2020, the company plans for the Dianhong Ecological Industrial Park to reach a production value of over 10 billion yuan, with Dianhong Group becoming a world-renowned tea company.

Specific Measures

Seizing the opportunity of creating the Dianhong Ecological Industrial Park, the group will focus on sustainable development by advancing seven major projects, increasing investment in raw material bases, production, R&D, marketing, and branding. The total planned investment for the 12th Five-Year Plan period is 715 million yuan.

1. Increase Investment in Base Construction – Implementing the “Three Hundred” Project

In the main tea-producing areas of Lincang (临沧), Dianhong Group will collaborate with tea farmers to establish 100 professional cooperatives, renovate and expand 100 standard red tea processing factories, each with a capacity of 100 tons of processed tea per year. The “Three Hundred” Project will provide high-quality raw materials for 10,000 tons of red tea annually and generate 400 million yuan in agricultural output value for local farmers. The total investment for this project is estimated at 100 million yuan, with completion expected before 2015.

2. Strengthen Product Quality and Safety Management – Implementing the “Digital Dianhong” Project

By utilizing advanced technologies like GAS positioning remote sensing satellites, the company will monitor its raw material bases and production processes in real time. This will help enhance the network management of product quality and establish a traceability system that covers everything from tea garden management and production to storage, transportation, and retail. The total investment for this project is 15.68 million yuan, which will cover 30,700 acres of tea gardens and 85 processing factories.

3. Improve Base Standardization Management – Implementing the “Organic Tea Garden Transformation Project”

The company plans to convert 10,700 acres of tea gardens that are not yet IMO organic certified into organic tea gardens within the next five years. The goal is to increase the organic tea area to 100,000 acres by the end of the 12th Five-Year Plan, producing 8,000 tons of organic tea, which will increase market prices by doubling the sale of organic tea. The total investment for this project is 200 million yuan.

4. Strengthen R&D and Innovation – Implementing the “China Black Tea Research Institute” Project

In partnership with the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences Tea Research Institute (中国农业科学院茶叶研究所), Dianhong Group will co-establish a national research institution, the China Black Tea Research Institute. The research institute will encompass three major functions: the World Tea Variety R&D Center, the Dianhong New Product Development Center, and the China Black Tea Quality Supervision and Inspection Center. This project will make Dianhong Group the largest and most comprehensive tea variety gene bank in China, with more than 200 acres of tea variety gardens and over 1,500 varieties of registered breeding materials. The total investment for this project is 30 million yuan.

5. Enhance Internal Management – Implementing the “Enterprise Informationization Project”

To strengthen the company’s management systems, Dianhong Group will introduce the national “Enterprise Internal Control Management System” to improve operational efficiency in production, cost management, and sales. This will also support sustainable development and enhance scientific management capabilities. The total planned investment for this project is 10 million yuan.

6. Enhance Low-Carbon Sustainable Development – Implementing the “Energy-Saving Technology Renovation and Innovation Project”

The company plans to introduce solar energy-saving technology to implement energy-saving modifications in its production lines. This initiative will help reduce energy consumption and maximize product efficiency. The total investment for this project is 60 million yuan, with completion expected within two years.

7. Strengthen Brand and Marketing Network – Implementing the “Brand Construction and Marketing Network Project”

The goal is to establish “Dianhong” (滇红) and “Feng” (凤) as world-renowned brands. The company will accelerate trademark registration and work towards certification as “China Famous Brand” (中国名牌) and “China Time-Honored Brand” (中华老字号). The company will also enhance tea distribution channels, including developing 1,000 Dianhong tea specialty stores and expanding the e-commerce platform for global reach. The total investment for this project is 300 million yuan.

Relocation Project Progress

To strengthen the Dianhong Tea industry, the Yunnan Provincial Government (云南省政府) and Vice Governor He Duanqi (和段琪) visited Fengqing (凤庆) in March 2009 to conduct a study on the development of the non-public economy. The Dianhong Group’s Relocation Project was given high attention and support. In July 2009, the project was approved by the Yunnan Provincial Development and Reform Commission (云南省发改委) and listed as a key construction project in the 2010 “100 Key Projects”. The project covers 354 acres and has a total investment of 270 million yuan.

The project is divided into two phases:

• Phase 1: Build 60,000 square meters of standardized factory buildings, including production lines for Dianhong tea, green tea, and Pu-erh tea (普洱茶).

• Phase 2: Build a Tea Expo Park and develop deep-processing projects for tea powder and tea polyphenols.

As of now, 212.66 million yuan has been invested, and once completed, Dianhong Group will be able to process 15,000 tons of tea annually, generate 1 billion yuan in annual sales, and provide employment for over 5,000 local workers, benefitting 380,000 tea farmers across 13 towns. The relocation project is expected to be fully operational by March 2012.

Development History of Dianhong Group (滇红集团)

1939: Establishment of Shunning Experimental Tea Factory

In 1939, the Shunning Experimental Tea Factory (顺宁实验茶厂) was founded, marking the beginning of what would later become Dianhong Tea.

1954: Name Change and Birth of Dianhong Tea

In 1954, following the renaming of the county, the factory became the Fengqing Tea Factory (云南省凤庆茶厂), the birthplace of the famous Dianhong Tea (滇红茶).

1996: Transformation into Dianhong Group

In 1996, the Fengqing Tea Factory underwent a complete transformation and became Dianhong Group (滇红集团), approved by the Yunnan Provincial Reform Commission (云南省体改委).

1958: Recognition as National Diplomatic Gift Tea

In 1958, Dianhong Tea was officially recognized as a national diplomatic gift tea.

1986: Gift to Queen Elizabeth II

In 1986, the then Governor of Yunnan Province, He Zhiqiang (和志强), presented Dianhong Tea as a state gift to Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to China.

2003: First to Implement Organic Tea Management

In 2003, Dianhong Group became the first to implement organic tea garden management and received Swiss IMO International Certification for organic tea. This marked the beginning of Yunnan Tea‘s journey to the global market.

2006: Recognition by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

In December 2006, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China (外交部) awarded the Dianhong Tea series the title of “Exclusive Gift Tea for Embassies Overseas” (驻外使馆专用礼品茶).

2008: Designated as Beijing Paralympic Gift Tea

In 2008, Dianhong Premium Kung Fu Tea (滇红特级工夫茶) was designated as the official gift tea for the Beijing Paralympic Games (北京残奥会).

2009: Trade Missions to Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine

In June 2009, Dianhong Group participated in trade missions to Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine, alongside President Hu Jintao‘s (胡锦涛) economic delegation.

2010: Business Visits to India and Pakistan

In December 2010, Dianhong Group joined the Chinese Economic and Trade Delegation, led by Premier Wen Jiabao (温家宝), for a business visit to India and Pakistan.

2011: Partnership with the Shenzhen Universiade

In 2011, three products from Dianhong Group, including “Dayun Hongxiang” (大运红香), were selected as licensed products for the 26th Summer Universiade in Shenzhen (深圳2011年第26届世界大学生夏季运动会).

2011: “Feng” Brand Recognized as “Time-Honored Brand”

In April 2011, the “Feng” (凤) brand of Dianhong Group was honored by the Ministry of Commerce of China (商务部) as a “Time-Honored Brand” (中华老字号).

2012: Vice Premier Inspects Tea Industry

In February 2012, Vice Premier Hui Liangyu (回良玉) visited Lincang (临沧) to inspect the Dianhong Tea Industry and the production techniques of the “Feng” brand of Dianhong Tea.

2012: Completion of Phase One of the Ecological Industrial Park

In March 2012, Dianhong Group‘s Ecological Industrial Park (滇红集团生态工业园区) invested 168.7 million yuan in the first phase of construction. The park aimed to build standardized production lines for Dianhong Tea, Pu-erh Tea, and Green Tea, with an annual production capacity of 15,000 tons.

2012: “Feng” Brand Recognized as “Famous Chinese Trademark”

In April 2012, the “Feng” (凤) brand was officially recognized as a “China Famous Trademark” (中国驰名商标) by the State Administration for Industry and Commerce (国家工商行政管理总局).

2012: Successful Ninth Consecutive Certification of Organic Tea Production

In April 2012, Dianhong Group‘s organic tea gardens and production processes successfully passed the Swiss IMO certification for the ninth consecutive year.

2012: Collaboration with China Agricultural Academy

In April 2012, Dianhong Group‘s collaboration with the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences Tea Research Institute (中国农业科学院茶叶研究所) made significant progress.

2012: Recognition as Excellent Private Enterprise

In August 2012, the Yunnan Provincial Government (云南省人民政府) awarded Dianhong Group the title of “Outstanding Private Enterprise” (优强民营企业). Chairman Wang Tianquan (王天权) was also honored as an “Outstanding Private Entrepreneur in Yunnan” (云南省优秀民营企业家).

2012: “Top 100 Enterprises in China Tea Industry” Award

In October 2012, Dianhong Group was once again awarded the title of “Top 100 Enterprises in China’s Tea Industry” (2012年度中国茶叶行业百强企业).

2013: Joint Venture in Sri Lanka

In February 2013, Dianhong Group formed a joint venture with a Sri Lankan plantation to produce specialty tea for the Chinese market. The newly formed venture aims to integrate market resources and cultivate high-end Chinese-style tea. This joint venture will also help attract foreign investment to Sri Lanka and promote Sri Lankan tea products in the Chinese market.

2013: Partnership with Sri Lankan Tea Company

In March 2013, Dianhong Group and Sri Lanka’s Ilpitiyia Plantation Company reached a cooperation agreement. Together, they will integrate resources for planting, processing, and marketing in China and South Asia to promote Chinese Black Tea (中国红茶) in the international market.

2013: “Top 10 Leading Tea Enterprises in China”

In May 2013, Dianhong Group was awarded the “Top 10 Leading Tea Enterprises in China” (中国茶业十大领军企业) award.

2013: Tea Brand Value Assessment

In June 2013, Dianhong Tea’s brand value was assessed at 900 million yuan (9.01 billion yuan) by the China Agricultural Brand Research Center (中国农业品牌研究网).

2013: Royal Gift Tea to Queen Elizabeth II

On June 8, 2013, Wang Tianquan, Chairman of Dianhong Group, announced that the company would gift Dianhong Tea to Queen Elizabeth II during a visit to the UK. This follows the previous occasion in 1986, when Governor He Zhiqiang (和志强) presented Dianhong Premium Kung Fu Tea as a state gift to the Queen.

2013: Internationalization Strategy Expansion

In 2013, Dianhong Group advanced its internationalization strategy, including establishing bases in South Asia and opening a 2400-hectare tea plantation in Sri Lanka to produce premium tea for global markets.

2022: Bankruptcy Reorganization Request

On November 8, 2022, the Fengqing County People’s Court (凤庆县人民法院) issued an announcement regarding the bankruptcy reorganization request of Dianhong Group.

Honors and Recognition

2023: Recognition as “Time-Honored Brand”

On September 28, 2023, Dianhong Group‘s “Feng” (凤) brand was recognized again as a “Time-Honored Brand” (中华老字号) by the Ministry of Commerce of China (商务部).