The 2009 China International Silk Expo, combined with the China International Women's Wear Exhibition, kicked off in Hangzhou, drawing over 30,000 overseas buyers to the West Lake area. As the tenth Sibo Fair unfolded, the "Silk House" — a golden brand symbolizing the national strategy of "east-west movement" for silk and women's wear — was quietly preparing for a stunning transformation. Dongsang West moved to Hangzhou to boost its strength, as the city proudly claims its title as the "Silk House." The famous Tang Dynasty poet Bai Juyi once wrote, "Silk sleeves weave Damask Chi Di, Qing Qi wine takes pear," which once again highlighted the high standards of Hangzhou's silk. Along Qinghe Square, rows of old silk villages witnessed the prosperity of the silk economy.
However, the Ministry of Commerce's "East-West Move" strategy seemed to cast a cold shadow over Hangzhou's silk industry. According to the plan, the country intended to gradually shift major sericulture areas from the eastern regions to the western ones. As Zhejiang and other eastern provinces accelerated industrialization and urbanization, rising land and labor costs began to constrain the traditional silk industry. In contrast, central and western regions offered abundant land and labor resources, along with favorable conditions for developing the silk industry.
According to Vice Mayor Shen Jian of Hangzhou, the implementation of the "East-West Move" is crucial for maintaining China's position as a global silk powerhouse. While it presents challenges, it also brings opportunities for Hangzhou. "This is a trend," Shen said, "and Hangzhou enterprises should strive to adapt to industrial restructuring and upgrading."
Hangzhou's silk industry has long been at the peak since the Tang and Song dynasties, with products sold along the Silk Road to Europe and the U.S. Today, the city aims to focus on new product development and technological research to establish itself as a leading textile and garment center. The marriage of "silk" and "women’s wear" has become two key business cards for Hangzhou: the "Silk House" and the "Women’s Capital."
After the financial crisis, the 2009 Working Conference on the Development of Silk and Women’s Clothing in Hangzhou decided to prioritize the textile and clothing industry, especially silk and women’s fashion. Hangzhou has a solid foundation in the apparel industry, with over 2,200 companies and an annual output value of 178.2 billion yuan. Leading firms like Daly, along with southern plain women’s wear and the Hangpai School, have achieved top-tier manufacturing capabilities both domestically and internationally.
Vice Mayor Shen emphasized that combining silk and women’s clothing is essential. To support this, Hangzhou allocates 20 million yuan annually to promote the industry. In 2008, there were 607 large-scale silk and women’s clothing enterprises in Hangzhou, generating 25.665 billion yuan in industrial output and 1.488 billion yuan in profit. This sector represents Hangzhou’s comparative, competitive, and industrial advantages.
The revival of the silk and women’s clothing industry is closely tied to the preservation of Hangzhou’s cultural heritage, the shaping of its city brand, and the improvement of residents' quality of life. Training outstanding female designers is central to brand building. Since 2007, Hangzhou has launched the "China Outstanding Women’s Designer Discovery Program," aiming to cultivate high-end design talent over the next decade. A multi-level training system has now been established.
Thanks to these efforts, 15 Hangzhou designers have won the title of "Top Ten Designers in China," and three have opened studios with government support. Notably, six Hangzhou designers were sent to study at the Italian Institute of European Design for 15 months. As *The New York Times* once noted, "The silk industry holds practical and symbolic importance for China. It is the country’s oldest export commodity and is closely linked to its national identity and foreign trade."
Since the discovery of 4,700-year-old silk fabric at Liangzhu, Hangzhou has been known as an indispensable strategic location in China’s silk industry. Combining modern innovation with ancient traditions, Hangzhou is now forging a "New Silk Road."
Jersey Fabric
Jersey Fabric,Tr Jersey,Printing Pure Polyester Cloth,Polyester Jersey Fabric
SHAOXING YIXUAN TEXTILE CO.,LTD. , https://www.yixuantextile.com