By outdoor-nature-child.com During a recent interview in Keqiao, Shaoxing, the 65-year-old Taiwanese businessman Zheng Rongzhang remarked, “Participating in the Textile Expo for the 13th time feels like reuniting with old friends.” He shared that this year, he invited 27 Taiwanese buyers to join him in exploring new opportunities on the mainland.
Zheng, representing Taiwan at the 2024 26th China Shaoxing Keqiao International Textile Expo (Autumn), showcased his standout booth where he passionately introduced his flagship products. This year’s expo features 2,200 booths, covering a total area of 45,000 square meters, making it the largest to date. Zheng presented a range of innovative materials, including bright red jackets, clothes equipped with power banks, and wrinkle-resistant, pressure-resistant fabrics.
With 40 years of experience in the textile industry, Zheng brought 25 functional fabric designs suitable for making jackets and tents to the expo. On the first day alone, he secured numerous new contacts and made several new friends.
Zheng believes that the textile industry is evolving rapidly. “To seize market opportunities, it’s crucial to stay in tune with the times and understand market trends,” he noted. He hopes that by participating in the expo, he can meet new customer demands and tap into fresh markets.
Keqiao, renowned as the “International Textile Capital,” houses China Light Textile City, the world’s largest textile distribution center where about a quarter of the world’s textiles are traded annually. Since its inception in 1999, the expo has capitalized on the local textile industry’s strengths, creating a global trade platform that facilitates insights into textile economic development and cross-strait cooperation.
Reflecting on his past experiences, Zheng recalled how his first expo led to inquiries from potential clients in South Korea, Pakistan, and Switzerland, which eventually turned into stable partnerships. “Over the years, I’ve witnessed the increasing popularity of the expo and its expanding international presence. Despite the current complexities in the global economy, I remain confident in the mainland market.”
As Taiwan’s participation grows, more businesses are seeking opportunities in the mainland through the expo. Wu Qiyang, a Taiwanese businessman who attended for the first time at Zheng’s recommendation, was particularly impressed by the expo’s scale and the rapid development of the mainland’s textile industry.
He noted, “The showcased textiles are diverse and distinctive. Many incorporate new technologies, providing insights into future trends.” Coming from a family with two generations in the textile business, Wu expressed his intention to mentor younger talent in Taiwan, stating, “Next time, I’ll definitely bring young people to broaden their horizons and explore collaboration opportunities.”
In this Taiwanese purchasing delegation, most participants were newcomers to the expo. Zheng shared his excitement about introducing them to both the unique features of the expo and the local attractions and foods, allowing them to experience the changes on the mainland and share in the developmental opportunities.