Gao Hucheng, China’s Vice Minister of Commerce, said at a press conference for the 2nd China (Dalian) International Garment and Textile Fair that China’s textile trade has been developing quickly, stably, and healthily, and that this trend was likely to continue this year.

Gao said that since China’s textile trade issues with Europe and the US were resolved in 2005, China’s clothing trade has developed steadily and quickly. The growth rate of textile exports remains normal, and is likely to be between 20 and 25 percent annually. He said that any export rebate adjustments would be made according to the market situation.

Clothing is one of China’s chief exports; China produces one third of the global total of clothing and textile goods. In 2006, the export value of Chinese textile goods was US$143.99 billion, up 25.2 percent, and the value of imported textile goods was US$18.09 billion, up 5.6 percent.

Gao said that China’s textile enterprises should improve their branding as well as be more original and innovative. To develop the industry, enterprises should improve the quality and grade of their goods, increase independent research and development and develop more of their own brands.