Canton Fair was held in China from April 15 to May 5, 2019. It showcased nearly 5,000 exhibitors from the textiles and garments to shoes, cases and bags, recreational products, medicine and healthcare products and food. One such exhibitor was Hebei Bailixin, China’s leading home textile manufacturer, which exports to 34 countries and regions in southeast Asia, Europe, North America and Japan.

In addition to showcasing Chinese manufacturing, the fair introduced leading international brands into the Chinese market. The fair featured Gohar Textiles and Cotton Empire from Pakistan, the century-old houseware brand R L Khanna and Shiv Shakti Exports from India, and companies from the Turkish textile and apparel center Denizli.

Facing pressure from uncertainties related to global trade and stricter import standards, Chinese companies are making constant efforts in innovation and improvement of product performances. In response to an expanding market and the continuously evolving specialist tastes of consumers, top Chinese textile and garments companies are not only offering high-quality products but also actively pursuing customisation and the development of new techniques. Exports of Chinese garments, toys and seven additional labor-intensive products in the first quarter of 2019 increased 6.5 per cent compared to the same period last year.