The 22thInternational Congress of Historical Sciences, honored as historical sciences “Olympics”, was opened grandly in Jinan on August 23, which attracted over 2600 top historians from all over the world. Xi Jinping, Chinese president, sent the congratulatory letter to this Congress, which showed the high standard of this Congress.

It’s worth noting that on the opening day, two busiest historical sciences leading authorities in this Congress, Professor Marjatta Hietala, chairman of International Committee of Historical Sciences (hereinafter referred to as ICHS), and Professor Robert Frank, secretary general of ICHS, officially accepted one special gift from Yantai Changyu Company, dry red wine of Changyu Centenary Cellar, which was to thank them for their contribution to the promotion of international historical sciences research.      

Jing Haiming, the deputy secretary general of Shandong University Committee of this Congress, told them: “This wine is produced by Changyu Company with a history of 123 years in China, and has served as the wine for state banquet Chinese leaders use to entertain foreign presidents.”   

Two distinguished guests were overjoyed and expressed their thanks repeatedly.

When the chairman Professor Marjatta Hietala learned that in the reception dinner of Shandong provincial government of the very evening, the provincial governor Mr. Guo Shuqing would also entertain the historians from all over the world with another dry red wine of Chateau Changyu Moser XV Ningxia, which was famous in the international wine industry, she said with excitement: “That is great! It surely will glorify this Congress!”      

Chairman of ICHS: One Special Gift, I Will Treasure It for Ever!

Professor Marjatta Hietala carefully looked at the dry red wine of Changyu Centenary Cellar printed with her photo: “This is really one special gift and a windfall!”

This wine has been used to entertain foreign leaders visiting China, such as, US President Barack Obama, British Minister David Cameron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, etc., and presented as gift to international well-known figures, such as former US President Clinton, Stock Deity Warren Buffett, etc.

“I will take this special gift home as personal permanent collection!” Marjatta Hietala said after learning the above-mentioned information.

The First International Congress of Historical Sciences was held in Paris in 1900, and Changyu Company was established in 1892, 8 years earlier than the former. In 1892, Mr. Zhang Bishi, famous patriotic overseas Chinese leader, established “Changyu Pioneer Wine Company” in Yantai, thus beginning Chinese wine industrialization. After the development of over 120 years, Changyu has developed into the largest wine production and operation enterprise in China and even Asia.    

Professor Marjatta Hietala said: “I am a historian, I love things with a history and Changyu is an enterprise with a history. I hope that Changyu will go on to export more products and let more people in the world drink the good wine of Changyu.”

When she learned that the first generation of grape seedings and winemakers of Changyu came from Europe, she expressed: “It can be seen from the history of wine that how important the communication between Europe and China is!”

She and Professor Frank also hoped that they would have an opportunity to visit Yantai Changyu Company and further understand the history of Changyu.

In the reception dinner of the very evening, Marjatta Hietala and the historians from all over the world proposed repeated toasts. The historians from different famous wine producing regions such as France, Italy, Germany, Netherlands, Australia, Chile, etc. sang their praises after tasting the wine from Chateau Changyu Moser XV Ningxia.

Marjatta Hietala said excitedly in the address of the dinner party: “In particular, I would like to thank the provincial governor Mr. Guo, the host, for Shandong food and wine provided for the Congress, which impressed my colleagues and me!”

Secretary General of ICHS: “I Want to Be Agent of Changyu in Europe!”

Professor Robert Frank, the secretary general of ICHS who came from France, “Homeland of Red Wine”, was not only a leading authority in history of international relations, but also a senior wine lover in daily life. In the preparation of this Congress, he drank Changyu wine every time he came to China. He thought that Changyu wine was different from French and European wine familiar by him. “It has special flavor and high taste!” he said.

After tasting dry red wine of Chateau Changyu Moser XV Ningxia in the reception dinner, he rained praises: “Wonderful! Excellent!”

This wine was indeed extraordinary, with permanent shelf set up by BBR, the oldest British royal vintner and reported by many British media such asThe Guardian,Sunday Times, etc. in March 2013. In September of the same year, Jancis Robinso MW, one of the world’s three great wine critics, ranked the 2008 dry red wine of Chateau Changyu Moser XV first in “Choice of Chinese Wine” released inFinancial Times. In October of the same year, AmericanTimealso wrote articles to introduce the rising of Chinese producing regions, specially mentioned this dry red wine of Chateau Changyu Moser XV produced in Ningxia.

After learning these that day, he expressed humorously: “I hope to be the agent of Changyu wine in Europe and I believe it must be best seller!”

When the reporter asked with whom he prepared to share the wine of Changyu Centenary Cellar, he said: “I must take such wonderful wine home to share with my wife and children!”

International Congress of Historical Sciences is the grand international gathering with the largest influence at present, this International Congress of Historical Sciences is firstly held in Asia in 115 years and Jinan, Shandong, China is selected as the host place. (Reporters Ju Chuanjiang and Wang Qian)