East China's Fujian Province, one of the country's major tea producers, exported 16,700 tons of tea last year, earning 44.4 million U.S. dollars, up 17.82 percent and 14.25 percent year on year, respectively, local customs statistics showed.

Among the exported tea, oolong tea comprised the largest proportion, about 68 percent of the province's total, according to Fuzhou Customs.

The province exported 11,300 tons of oolong tea in 2005, which gained 23.8 million U.S. dollars, a rise of 23.66 percent and 19.57 percent,respectively, over the previous year.

Export of jasmine tea stood at 1,700 tons, up 15.68 percent; while the export of green tea increased by a large margin to 900 tons, valued at 3.7 million U.S. dollars.

Fujian has so far expanded its tea export markets to 52 countries and regions.

Source: Xinhua