Recently, the Cha'an Court introduced The 10 Measures for Serving and Safeguarding the Geographical Indication of Phoenix Dancong (Song) Tea. These measures aim to inject new legal impetus into the region's distinctive Phoenix Dancong industry, rural revitalization, and the development of a tea Tourism corridor.

Phoenix Dancong (Song) Tea

According to the Song Dynasty Annals of Chaozhou Prefecture: “Fengshan famous tea is Shaomu tea, also known as tribute tea.” Phoenix Dancong, a type of long-leaf Oolong tea, is renowned as the “perfume of teas.” It is produced in the Phoenix Mountains of Chaoan, Guangdong, with a history spanning over 900 years of cultivation and tea-making. In recent years, the Phoenix tea industry has flourished, and by the end of 2025, the tea-growing area in Chaozhou City reached 250,000 mu, with a gross value of raw tea nearing 8 billion yuan.

The Measures

The measures focus on three key areas: dispute resolution involving tea, serving the tea tourism industry, and enhancing the brand effect of tea. They aim to establish and improve a comprehensive judicial protection mechanism for Phoenix Dancong (Song) Tea.

In terms of dispute resolution involving tea, the measures stipulate the establishment of a comprehensive protection cooperation mechanism that includes coordination meetings, multiple dispute resolution methods, and joint legal education for the geographical indication of Phoenix Dancong (Song) Tea. This mechanism will strengthen the front-end management of disputes related to tea. Additionally, it calls for the creation of a one-stop litigation service mechanism for tea enterprises, merchants, and farmers, including fast-track procedures for case filing, early scheduling of hearings, and benevolent enforcement. The measures also emphasize strict punishment for criminal acts such as destroying, misusing, or abusing geographical indications and increasing efforts to combat counterfeiting. Furthermore, the implementation of a governance mechanism combining judges and associations is proposed to leverage the strength of associations in resolving disputes at their source.

To serve and support the development of the tea tourism industry, the measures suggest strengthening government-court collaboration and promoting on-site mediation, rapid adjudication, and advance compensation for tea tourism disputes. The measures also propose strict punishment for criminal activities and enhanced judicial protection for ancient tea trees, Tea culture, and historical relics, contributing to the preservation and development of tea culture. Moreover, they advocate for the protection and inheritance of intangible cultural heritages such as tea art, tea principles, and tea ways to support the development of the tea tourism industry.

Additionally, the measures propose conducting regular “legal check-ups” at tea companies and tea gardens, carrying out intellectual property rights law training on trademark applications, copyright registration, and design patents, and issuing targeted judicial recommendations. These actions aim to enhance the brand effect of tea through a new legal education model specifically for geographical indication protection.

A thriving geographical indication leads to a thriving specialty industry. “Strengthening the judicial protection of the geographical indication of Phoenix Dancong (Song) Tea is an essential part of the court's contribution to implementing the ‘Hundred Thousand Projects.' It helps make Phoenix Dancong tea a ‘golden key' for activating rural revitalization and industrial development, pushing the tea industry towards larger markets,” said a relevant official from the Cha'an Court.

Written by: Xiaoman Xu