The newest statistics by China Customs reveal that China's total textile and clothing exports hit US$144 billion in 2006.

In which, shipments of textile yarn, fabrics and similar products came to US$48.8 billion, up 18.7 per cent, while clothing exports accounted for US$95.2 billion, an increase of 28.9 per cent over the previous year.

The statistics show that growth in China's textile and garment exports is still strong, with revenue expanding at an annual average of more than 20 per cent from 2003 to 2005.

It is obvious thatthe experts however are not so optimistic about the future of the nation's textile industry, with rising costs and non-tariff barriers from developed countries placing a strain on the sector.