state-run tea factory
'state-run tea factory'
Definition#
A tea factory run by the state in the planned economy before the reform era, when pu'er production and export were centrally planned. The best-known cases are the four state pu'er factories (Kunming, Menghai, Xiaguan, Pu'er). An article reprinted on ipucha says that in 1975 the China National Tea Corporation assigned the numbers 1 to 4 to these four 'best state-run large factories' under the planned economy; a Sohu article (2016) says the state-run Pu'er factory was founded in April 1975 and gives 2004 restructurings for Xiaguan, Menghai and Pu'er (Kunming ceased operating in 1992 and was rebuilt around 2006). English Wikipedia dates the Menghai factory's full privatisation to 1996 and a purchase by Bowin in October 2004, so the dates of the ownership changes differ between sources. 国营 on a listing signals tea made in that era (see 号级茶, 印级茶, 七子级茶); it does not apply to today's corporations (Dayi, Xiaguan and others). The same term is used for state factories in other regions.
Translation and usage#
| Language | Use | Alternatives & cautions |
|---|---|---|
| English | state-run tea factory tea factory under state ownership in the planned economy translation |
Also acceptable
Avoid 'state factory' for current Dayi/Xiaguan production those are now corporate; the label belongs to the planned-economy era |
| Deutsch | staatliche Teefabrik Teefabrik in Staatsbesitz zur Zeit der Planwirtschaft translation |
Also acceptable
|
| Русский | государственная чайная фабрика (го ин ча чан) чайная фабрика в госсобственности в период плановой экономики |
Also acceptable
|
| 简体字 | 国营茶厂 | |
| 繁體字 | 國營茶廠 | Regional usage
|
| 日本語 | 国営茶廠 計画経済期に国が運営していた茶工場 translation |
Also acceptable
|
Common confusions#
- 国营 describes ownership at the time of production; it says nothing about current ownership.
- Do not use it for current factories or modern brands.
- Sources date the end of state ownership differently (Menghai: 1996 on English Wikipedia, 2004 restructuring on Sohu).