A tea table featuring bamboos is displayed at the opening ceremony of a tea art competition in Nantong on Aug 27. [Photo/ntfabu.com]

A tea art competition opened at the Nantong Museum in Nantong, Jiangsu province on Aug 27, with an array of exquisite tea tables displayed during the launch ceremony.

The competition, which adopted the country's highest standards for professional tea artists, consisted of theory and skill tests on tea art, tea table design, and tea art innovation.

Winners will not only receive professional certificates issued by the Nantong bureau of human resource and social security, but also have a chance to take part in the national vocational skills competition.

China's appreciation for tea has a long history and is more diverse than most people know. The event was aimed at selecting talents to boost the traditional culture and allowing more people to learn about the ancient art form.