Reposted from the official WeChat account of the Hubei Provincial Federation of Industry and Commerce: [Chu Business Excellence] Shen Xianli, Chairman of Hubei Wansongtang Greater Health Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd.: Riding the Waves of the Belt and Road Initiative to Weave a Global Network for Greater Health.

[Reprint Notice] This article is reprinted from the official WeChat account of the Hubei Federation of Industry and Commerce. The original title is: “‘Chu Merchant Style’: Shen Xianli, Chairman of Hubei Wansongtang Greater Health Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd.: Riding the Waves of the Belt and Road to Weave a Global Network for Greater Health,” published on August 14, 2025. The original article can be accessed at: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/dJjGOR7Wc51yl-09cG4AIA.

The original text is as follows:

Shen Xianli: Chairman of Hubei Wansongtang Greater Health Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd.

Character Stories

Keeping pace with the times, Shen Xianli, a graduate of traditional Chinese medicine, has devoted two decades to the greater health industry, transforming a dilapidated storefront plastered with small advertisements into a multinational group—Wansongtang Health Group—whose products are now exported to 37 countries. As a “Little Giant” enterprise in Hubei Province recognized for its specialization, refinement, uniqueness, and innovation, Wansongtang holds more than ten international certifications, including U.S. FDA approval, has established marketing networks across Belt and Road countries, and has created employment and business opportunities for over 5,000 people. It has thus become a pioneering force in advancing traditional Chinese medicine on the global stage and revitalizing the development of the local health industry.

Setting sail on the waves, we are deeply rooted in Suizhou, laying the foundation for our enterprise.

Shen Xianli, a graduate of a traditional Chinese medicine program, resolutely entered the pharmaceutical and health‑care industries after completing his studies. In the early days of his entrepreneurial journey, his starting point was far from promising: he operated out of a dilapidated storefront that resembled a small convenience store, its walls mottled with time and plastered with all sorts of flyers. At the time, few would have imagined that this modest shop could grow into a major health‑care group exporting to 37 countries. Recognizing the booming prospects of the greater health industry and the untapped potential of his hometown, Shen Xianli demonstrated remarkable boldness. He raised 100 million yuan through various channels, acquired 100 mu of land in Suizhou, and devoted himself to building a state‑of‑the‑art production base meeting modern standards. By early 2005, a cutting‑edge factory had risen from the ground in Suizhou. This facility not only boasts two GMP‑compliant cleanroom production lines—each capable of handling 100,000‑level and 300,000‑level cleanliness—but also features a comprehensive array of advanced equipment, covering everything from raw material selection and cell‑wall disruption and pulverization to extraction, purification, and digital granulation. It further includes dedicated technical and quality‑control laboratories. Backed by such robust infrastructure, the plant has swiftly become one of China’s leading large‑scale, standardized, and highly professional producers of health‑promoting teas, with a monthly capacity of up to 180 million sachets.

In the same year, responding to market demand, Shen Xianli founded Wuhan Wansongtang Biopharmaceutical Technology Co., Ltd. and established both an R&D center and a marketing center. Beginning in 2006, the company successively developed and produced over one hundred varieties of Wansongtang‑branded health‑preserving teas, offering benefits such as balancing the “three highs,” nourishing and protecting the liver, soothing the throat and moistening the lungs, tonifying yin and nurturing the kidneys, reducing acidity and lowering blood sugar, detoxifying and beautifying the skin, and eliminating dampness while strengthening the spleen. In addition to providing specialized custom‑manufacturing services to renowned brands like Tongrentang, Xiuzheng, Renhe, and Sanjiu, the company also built China’s first large‑scale production base for health‑preserving teas, laying a solid foundation for expanding into international markets.

Breaking the Waves to Go Global: The Belt and Road Initiative Expands Markets

Faced with intensifying competition and “involution” in China’s greater health sector, Shen Xianli demonstrated a forward‑looking strategic vision. He keenly recognized that the Belt and Road Initiative harbors vast untapped opportunities in the global market. As early as 2013, Wansongtang officially embarked on its internationalization journey. Leading delegations himself, Shen conducted in‑depth market assessments across Africa, Southeast Asia, Japan, and other regions, while also participating in international food expos. Anticipating emerging trends, he made decisive moves to develop more than twenty tea products under wholly English‑language private labels, gaining visibility through platforms such as the Canton Fair and Alibaba.com.

Standards first, seamless global access: Wansongtang fully recognizes the importance of international compliance and has obtained a range of critical international certifications, including export customs registration, ISO 9001, ISO 22000, HACCP, Halal certification, U.S. FDA approval, and CGMP certification, thereby removing barriers to the global market for its products.

Global network, deep channel development: Domestically, the Group has invested in building its headquarters in Wuhan, strengthening its R&D and marketing core functions, and establishing sales subsidiaries across multiple regions. Internationally, it has strategically positioned itself by setting up subsidiaries in South Africa, the United Kingdom, Singapore, and other key markets. This has enabled the Group to establish a comprehensive, multi‑dimensional global sales network that integrates domestic distribution, cross‑border e‑commerce, overseas direct operations, and overseas warehousing.

Breaking Barriers Through Innovation and Cultural Integration: In response to the diverse needs of overseas markets, Wansongtang has innovatively developed product formats—such as functional coffee, protein powders, and dietary‑supplement gummies—that better align with local consumer preferences.

Riding the waves and forging ahead, leading the way in an outward‑looking, trendsetting stance.

Wansongtang’s journey toward internationalization has been far from smooth, yet each step has been resolute and steady. From an initial export share of less than 20% to today, when export business now accounts for over 80% of the group’s total sales, with annual exports approaching US$20 million, its products are bestsellers in 37 countries and regions across Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia. Behind this success lies a decade of unwavering dedication and relentless innovation.

Proactively expanding markets: He led a delegation to Africa for the “Traditional Chinese Medicine and Greater Health Mission to Benefit Humanity,” and consecutively participated in major international trade fairs in Singapore, Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates, Russia, the United States, and other key global markets, actively engaging with markets along the Belt and Road.

Strong Local Operations Lay a Solid Foundation: To mitigate risks and stay close to the market, we have established overseas subsidiaries; conducted in-depth field visits across multiple African countries; leveraged Chinese chambers of commerce to engage with local governments for product registration and filing; and set up overseas warehouses to enhance logistics efficiency.

Brand Building to Enhance Corporate Image: We have registered our own trademarks and patents in multiple countries, trained an internationally oriented business team, and established an international brand image as the “Chinese Expert in Health‑Promoting Tea.”

Today, Wansongtang, a “Little Giant” enterprise in Hubei Province recognized for its specialization, refinement, uniqueness, and innovation, has created employment for more than 5,000 people. With the spirit of a “pioneer braving the waves” and the wisdom of a “network‑weaver,” Shen Xianli has penned a remarkable chapter of Chu‑based business success—rooted in his hometown yet reaching out to connect the world. Looking ahead, Wansongtang will leverage local Chinese medicinal materials from Suizhou, Shennongjia, Shiyan, Xiangyang, and other regions, continuously enhancing its product competitiveness, expanding its global footprint, and advancing traditional Chinese medicine on the world stage.