China's textile sales reached 3.3 trillion yuan (US$408 billion)
in 2005, surging 115.7 percent from 2001, said the National
Development and Reform Commission (NDRC)?report.
The textile industry has become an important industry with
fairly tangible competitiveness in the international market, due to
industrial restructuring and upgrading," the report said, adding
that apparel exports reached US$116 billion in 2005, up 118.9
percent from five years ago.
Major textile enterprises posted 485.6 billion yuan (US$60.7
billion) in added value in 2005, up 119.1 percent. These
enterprises also reported doubled profits in the 2001-2005 period
despite increasing trade disputes, oil price hikes and RMB
revaluation.
More than 19 million people were employed by textile firms, and
over 70 percent of the employees came from rural areas, the report
said.
The report said the textile industry gave an impetus to the
development of agriculture, animal husbandry, petro-chemical
industry as well as commerce and trade.
(Xinhua News Agency February 1, 2006)