Xu Wenying: Using the Expo to Show New Achievements in the Development of the Cotton Spinning Industry

Xu Wenying, vice president of the China Textile Industry Association and president of the China Cotton Textile Industry Association, highlighted that this autumn and winter yarn exhibition is being held during a significant time—the Shanghai World Expo. This unique timing offers exhibitors an excellent platform to showcase their products and innovations. Additionally, leveraging the global attention brought by the World Expo allows the cotton spinning industry to present its latest achievements and technological advancements on an international stage. Since the new century, China’s cotton textile industry has experienced remarkable growth. In 2001, the total number of spindles in the cotton spinning sector was 34.43 million, which surged to 110 million by 2009. Yarn production increased from 6.6 million tons to 23.9 million tons, reflecting an average annual growth rate of 29.1%. Meanwhile, cloth production rose from 27.7 billion meters to 74 billion meters, with an average annual growth rate of 18.5%. The industry's profitability also saw substantial improvement, rising from 6 billion yuan in 2000 to 38 billion yuan in 2009. The number of enterprises grew from 3,793 to 11,701, with an average annual increase of 23.1%. Despite this expansion, the workforce decreased slightly from 2.568 million to 2.497 million, indicating a significant rise in labor productivity. The global financial crisis had a noticeable impact on the cotton textile industry, particularly in the past year when many companies faced major challenges. However, the industry’s average profit margin last year remained higher than in 2007 and 2008. This resilience can be attributed to the performance of one-third of the top-performing companies, which maintained an average profit margin of 8.7%. These leading enterprises are typically well-established within the upstream and downstream supply chains, benefiting from a complete industrial structure and diverse product offerings that drive both growth and profitability. This year’s yarn exhibition features relatively few major changes, but it still promises exciting developments. Exhibitors will showcase high-yarn, pure cotton, and blended yarns. A key highlight of the event will be the introduction of functional yarns, such as flame-retardant and anti-static varieties. Many companies are expected to present these innovative products, signaling the industry’s ongoing efforts to meet evolving market demands and enhance product value.