By Li Qian (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2007-09-14 14:49

The China National Textile and Apparel Council (CNTAC) has urged Chinese textile manufacturers to continue innovation, use environmentally friendly methods to reform the industry, and explore international market of high-end products.

Chinese textile enterprises can only survive fierce competition through constantly developing new products and ideas, said CNTAC deputy director Sun Ruizhe during a press conference last week announcing a national contest in fashionable fabric in Beijing.

As the world's largest fabrics producer and exporter, China is poised to reform its massive textile industry, which has captured most of the world market with low prices and high-quality.

Although some of the world's top fashion brands like Giorgio Armani are using fabrics made in China in their creations, Chinese-designed clothes still have a long way to go to become well-known into the international fashion world under their own brand names.

Sun said it would be the best strategy for China-made fabrics and Chinese-designed clothing to first clinch overseas markets with high-quality products and excellent service before honing in on the high-end market.

In late October, the CNTAC will be holding a high-profile forum in Shanghai to explore innovative fabrics and ways to reduce the negative impacts textile production has on the environment. And the head CNTAC, Du Yuzhou, or other council members will present awards for enterprises that have made great strides in fashionable fabrics and in their ability to create sustainable companies.

Sun believes innovation and technological advances are the most important for an enterprise and the industry as a whole.

Sponsored by DuPont and several other well-known fabric enterprises, he said the forum is set to promote economical and environmentally friendly manufacturing practices, and a modern and green lifestyle among fabric customers.

Chinese textile enterprises are experiencing a hard time in the past few years due to some American and European countries trying to raise trade barriers against Chinese exports by levying anti-dumping duties, and the central government canceling the tax rebate for exports.