China
People's Republic of China │ 中华人民共和国
China is the world's largest exporter of textiles, with annual export revenues of USD 293.6 billion in 2023 and an annual share of GDP at 8.7 per cent. Almost 8 million people are employed in the textile industry. All stages of textile production are found in China. Most of the raw materials come from national markets. Besides the export of mostly higher quality products, a large part of the production is for the national market.
Since China's accession to the World Trade Organization in December 2001, the expiration of the World Textile Agreement at the end of 2004, and the lifting of trade restrictions imposed by the U.S. and the EU a few years later, the Chinese textile and garment industry has experienced unprecedented growth. China rose to become the most important player in world trade for textiles and apparel and is not only an important trading partner of the USA and EU, but also of many countries in Asia and Africa.
Population
Total
1,425,671,352 (2023)
Gross Domestic Product
GDP per Capita (constant USD, thousand)
$11,560.24 (2022)
Human Development Index Ranking
HDI Rank (out of 191 countries)
75 (2022)
Garment/Textile Workers
Number of workers in the garment/textile sector
7,829,000 (2023)
Women Workers in the Garment/Textile Industry
Percentage of women workers employed in the garment/textile industry
Over 60% (2019)
Number of Garment/Textile Factories
Number of factories in the garment/textile industry
322,000 (enterprises) (2019)
Garment/Textile Industry Exports
(USD$ billion)
USD 293.6 billion (2023)
Garment/Textile Industry Size
Percentage of total exports
8.7% (2023)
Minimum Wage
Monthly minimum wage in USD
USD 340 ≅ 2,420 RMB (2023)
Key Garment/Textile Export Markets
Top five countries ($USD value exported and subsequent percentage)
| Country | Percentage of Exports |
|---|---|
| United States | 20.7% |
| Japan | 7.7% |
| European Union | 16.8% |
| ASEAN | 10.7% |
Government Entities
Government agencies actively involved in the garment/textile industry
- Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China (MOFCOM)
- Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (MOHRSS)
- Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT)
- National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC)
Worker Organizations
Trade unions, Union federations, and other worker organizations
- All-China Federation of Trade Union (ACFTU)
- IndustriALL
Employer/Industry Associations and Chambers of Commerce
Employers and industry related associations, private sectors associations and chambers of commerce
- China National Textile and Apparel Council (CNTAC)
- China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Textile and Apparel (CCCT)
Development Agencies/ International Organizations
National and international development organizations working within the garment/textile industry
- Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH FABRIC
- Sustaining Competitive and Responsible Enterprises (SCORE/ILO)
- Responsible Supply Chains in Asia
- Global Deal for Decent Work and Inclusive Growth
- Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC)
- Sino-German Center for Sustainable Development (CSD)
- Emerging Market Sustainability Dialogues (EMSD)
- Support of Regional Economic Cooperation in Asia (SRECA)
Civil Society Organizations/ Non-governmental Organizations
Organizations working within the garment/textile industry
- Action, Collaboration, Transformation (ACT)
- Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)
Sources of data provided
- Population: https://population.un.org/dataportal/data/indicators/49/locations/156/start/2023/end/2023/table
- GDP Per Capita: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.PCAP.KD
- HDI: https://hdr.undp.org/data-center/specific-country-data#/countries/CHN
- Garment / Textile Workers:
Garment:
https://www.miit.gov.cn/gxsj/tjfx/xfpgy/fz/art/2023/art_ea6c6d3f71fb4d8b8f1069f1fcfd7c7a.html
Chemical fiber:
https://www.miit.gov.cn/gxsj/tjfx/xfpgy/fz/art/2023/art_e48b31ea838f41a49c0f292a8a586d07.html
Textile:
https://www.miit.gov.cn/gxsj/tjfx/xfpgy/fz/art/2023/art_a0b04c38f03c4fb3ad12fe21a00ef989.html - Women Workers in the Garment /Textile Industry: http://csc9000.org.cn/People.php?lm=%E5%AE%B6%E5%BA%AD%E5%8F%8B%E5%A5%BD%E6%94%BF%E7%AD%96%E9%A1%B9%E7%9B%AE
- Number of Garment / Textile Enterprises: http://www.stats.gov.cn/tjsj/zxfb/201911/t20191119_1710336.html
- Garment / Textile Industry Export Market: https://www.cntac.org.cn/zixun/shuju/202401/t20240129_4339920.html
- Garment / Textile Industry Size: http://www.customs.gov.cn//customs/302249/zfxxgk/2799825/302274/302277/302276/5637234/index.html
- Minimum Wage: https://wageindicator.cn/salary/minimumwagesinchina/6824-53174eac
- Key Garment / Textile Export Markets: http://news.ctei.cn/trade/jckxx/202307/t20230731_4319386.htm
News on China
Vietnam Suspends Chinese E-Retailer Temu Over Registration Issues
Vietnam has suspended Chinese retailer Temu for missing a registration deadline. Authorities raised concerns about the authenticity of Temu's cheap goods and their impact on local manufacturers. Its operations remain uncertain amid wider investigations in Europe over illegal product sales.
Read MoreSHEIN Faces Scrutiny Over Supply Chain Practices Amid Labour Rights Efforts
SHEIN's evoluSHEIN roadmap highlights steps taken to address labour rights and governance issues, including audits and a Supplier Code of Conduct. However, despite claims of progress, concerns remain about forced labour, child labour, and working conditions across its vast supply chain.
Read MoreTrump’s Victory Signals New Challenges for Asian Garment Industry Amid Potential Tariff Hikes
Donald Trump’s election victory and proposed tariffs of up to 60% on Chinese goods could increase costs for U.S. apparel companies, raising prices and potentially reducing consumer demand. While this poses challenges, it may also benefit manufacturers in Vietnam and Bangladesh as brands diversify away from China, though Bangladesh remains disadvantaged by standard U.S. tariffs.
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