This Day, That Year

Item from China Daily on Sept 14, 1987: Thirsty people buy bowls of tea for just 2 fen each at a tea house in the busiest spot in Beijing's Qianmen Street. The tea house was reopened on Friday by the manager of Beijing Dashilan Trade Company, who started the business eight years ago after selling bowls of tea on the roadside.

Despite China's long history of tea drinking, coffee is predicted to become the hot new trend for young consumers, according to Canadean, a global market researcher and consultancy in the beverage and food industries.

Canadean said the Chinese are drinking more coffee, and demand is likely to triple in the next five years, making China the world's fastest-growing market for the beverage.