The local government and tea companies are trying to boost the tea industry in Ya'an, one of China's largest tea production areas, a year after the region was hit by a magnitude-7.0 earthquake.

Although the tea fields were almost unscathed, the tea industry in Ya'an suffered a great loss as leaves were left unpicked in the fields at peak season.

"Many of the dealers left for safety reasons. The workers, most of whom live in the quake-stricken area, went home to take care of their families and rebuild their houses," said Yang Yongxiang, director of Mingshan district's tea industry development bureau.