“At each fair we aim to curate a fringe programme that will inform, engage and connect thought leaders from around the world,” said Mr Olaf Schmidt, Vice President of Textiles & Technologies at Messe Frankfurt, who opened the meeting with a welcome speech.
Mr Xu Yingxin, Vice President of the China National Textile and Apparel Council and Chairman of CCPIT-TEX (co-organiser of the fair) delivered the keynote, titled “The Current Situation of China’s Textile Industry”. Here are the main takeaways from the keynote and the panel discussion that followed.
The world’s biggest chemical fibre producer
After decades of reform, China’s textile industry has become a key player on a global scale, being one of the country’s first markets to open up. In 2018, China’s chemical fibre production exceeded 50 million tons, making up over two thirds of global production. Textile exports from China reached 37.6% of the world’s total in 2018, a 3.5% increase from the previous year, while apparel exports accounted for 31.3% of the world’s total.
Strong support from home
Although purchasing power has slowed slightly, as more Chinese consumers become wary of over-spending, the textile industry in China still experienced high demand from its domestic market. Due to the population size, the industry also has a safety net in terms of clothing being a basic necessity. Domestic retail sales of apparel grew by 8% in 2018, and have continued to grow in 2019, although not as quickly as previous years.
Part of the panel discussion focused heavily on the importance of maintaining a strong consumer economy in order to maintain strong domestic purchasing power. This is a concern seen around the world. Mr Paul Alger (UK Fashion & Textile Association), warned of the social consequences and lack of purchasing power that come as a result of a weak consumer economy, as recently seen in the UK. Similarly, Ms Rosette Carrillo (Confederation of Wearable Exporters of the Philippines) noted that the Philippines had much to learn from China’s domestic market growth. Meanwhile, Mr K V Srinivasan (TEXPROCIL) indicated that India’s consumer economy benefits from their strengths, including a rich textile heritage and skilled technical workforce.
China’s next steps
Investments in the textile industry have also slowed as US-China trade war frictions knocked confidence. However, there is still growth. China’s textile industry’s investments in fixed assets grew by 5% in 2018, before slowing in the first half of 2019. Investments have focused on technology and innovation, resulting in increased productivity.
With its position at the forefront of the world’s textile industry, China is now entering a new era of textile manufacturing and design. Three key missions were noted for China’s plan moving forward: technology and innovation; culture and local talent; and sustainability.
Sustainability was a key point during the panel discussion. Ms Carol Hanlon (Textile Clothing Footwear Resource Centre, Australia) pointed out China’s capacity, as a leader of textile production, to drive change in circularity. Both Ms Hanlon and Mr Alger acknowledged the demand for sustainability in the future consumer: younger generations who are increasingly associated with climate activism.
Overseas trade and investments: the latest figures
The Belt & Road initiative was first proposed in 2013, and in 2014 became one of three major national development strategies in China. As of July 2019, the Chinese government has signed co-operation agreements with 136 countries along the route, which runs through three continents. During the initiative’s first five years, the total trade volume between China and countries along the Belt & Road route has exceeded USD 6 trillion, accounting for nearly a third of China’s total trade in goods during this period.
The textile industry deals with a large part of this trade. By 2018, the Chinese textile industry is reported to have invested USD 6.5 billion in countries along the Belt & Road route. China’s textile industry has steadily placed more investments further overseas, upstream and downstream.
These investments, both domestic and overseas, have two main directions. First, to create a worldwide production capacity, by building efficient manufacturing bases in China, Africa and countries along the Belt & Road route. And second, to develop international co-operation to strengthen resources throughout the supply chain (raw materials, design, R&D and even marketing). Between 2015 and 2018, Vietnam received the highest investment volume by far, followed by Ethiopia, Myanmar, Egypt, Cambodia, Malaysia, Pakistan and Tajikistan.
Has the US-China trade war opened up other markets?
An estimated 18% of China’s textile exports go to the US, making this China’s largest export market for textiles, valued at around USD 50 billion. This also makes China the largest exporter of textiles and apparel to the US, accounting for 38% of the nation’s total imports.
With ongoing tensions, tariffs and uncertainties, this has opened up opportunities for other countries to step in. Mr Ade Sudrajat (Indonesian Textile Association) noted that Indonesia has experienced a decrease in purchasing power, and views the trade war as an opportunity – as seen in Vietnam, whose exports to the US more than doubled in 2018. Indonesia is reportedly open to Chinese investment, seeking to develop local e-commerce and start-ups, and recognising a need for efficiency and marketing.
Similarly, Mr Yuttana Silpsarnvitch (The National Federation of Thai Textile Industries) sees an opportunity for Thailand amidst trade frictions. He pointed out Thailand’s agricultural strengths, including traditional Thai silk as well as unique products such as pineapple yarns and banana yarns.
Panel discussion speakers
Mr Zhao Hong, Editor-in-Chief of China Textile Magazine, moderated the panel discussion. The full list of speakers included:
• Ms Carol Hanlon, CEO, Textile Clothing Footwear Resource Centre (Australia)
• Mr Kelvin Cheuk, Vice Chairman, Hong Kong Institution of Textiles and Apparel
• Mr K V Srinivasan, Chairman, The Cotton Textiles Expert Promotion Council (India)
• Mr Ade Sudrajat, Chairman, Indonesian Textile Association
• Mr Xaybandith Rasphone, President of the Association of the Laos Garment Industry
• Mr Seow Hon Cheong, Chairman, Malaysian Textile Manufacturer Association
• Ms Rosette Carrillo, Associate Director, Confederation of Wearable Exporters of the Philippines
• Mr Yuttana Silpsarnvitch and Mr Jumnong Nawasmittawong, President and Vice President respectively, The National Federation of Thai Textile Industries
• Mr Paul Alger MBE, International Business Director, UK Fashion & Textile Association
Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics – Autumn Edition 2019 was co-organised by Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd; the Sub-Council of Textile Industry, CCPIT; and the China Textile Information Centre. For more details on this fair, please visit: www.intertextileapparel.com. Information from the international textiles sector and Messe Frankfurt’s textile fairs worldwide can be found at: www.texpertise-network.com.
-end-
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Information from the international textiles sector and Messe Frankfurt’s textiles fairs worldwide can be found at: www.texpertise-network.com.
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