A new CTIHK-Sichuan Tobacco collaboration aims to propel the overseas growth of Chinese cigars. Photo credit: CTIHK
On July 23, 2025, China Tobacco International (HK) Co., Ltd. (CTIHK) and China Tobacco Sichuan Industrial Co., Ltd. (Sichuan Tobacco) formalized an exclusive global distribution agreement for Great Wall cigars (excluding the Chinese mainland market) at the Great Wall cigar factory in Shifang, Sichuan.
The agreement marks a strategic deepening of the partners’ commitment to globalizing Great Wall, China’s leading cigar brand. Renowned for delivering "The taste of the world, the Great Wall of China", the brand dominated the domestic handmade cigar market in H1 2025, capturing over 50% market share. Within the premium handmade segment, Great Wall commands nearly 70% market presence, demonstrating sustained robust growth and leadership in China’s cigar market.
Building upon exclusive distribution partnerships established across three international markets in 2024, this global agreement represents a significant elevation of the CTIHK-Sichuan Tobacco collaboration. It underscores both parties’ proactive initiative in implementing the tobacco industry’s high-quality development strategy for international operations and serves as a pivotal model for global brand expansion.
CTIHK is committed to strengthening its synergistic partnership with Sichuan Tobacco to propel the overseas growth of Chinese cigars. By capitalizing on the steady and positive growth trend in international markets, the two companies aim to explore new models for Chinese cigar exports, accelerate the establishment of a unified global platform for the industry’s cigar business, and enhance the internationalization and global influence of Chinese cigars, delivering a rich, smooth, and authentically Chinese cigar experience to aficionados worldwide.
Great Wall Cigar will be presented by CTIHK at InterTabac 2025, at booth 5.A30 in Hall 5.