High-tech textiles, apparel products attract global buyers at Canton Fair

Chinese textiles and apparel products recently attracted buyers from both home and abroad at the 138th China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair) in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province.

The third phase of the 138th Canton Fair covered five major sectors — fashion, home textiles, toys and maternity and infant products, office supplies, and health and leisure — comprising 21 exhibition sections. It spanned an area of 515,000 square meters and drew more than 12,000 exhibitors.

At the booth of Aparso, a sportswear company based in Fuzhou, the provincial capital of southeast China's Fujian Province, a wide variety of sports apparel drew the attention of numerous overseas buyers, many of whom livestreamed the products on their phones.

"This photovoltaic jacket is one of our bestsellers. With eight embedded solar panels, it enables users to charge their devices," said Miao Junchao, a staff member of the company. The company's products are selling well in Germany, France, Spain, and other countries, with overseas sales reaching $20 million in the first half of 2025.

"Roughly 40 percent of our annual overseas orders come through the Canton Fair," Miao added. The fair has helped the company expand into markets in the Middle East, Africa and beyond.

Foreign buyers select products in the menswear and womenswear exhibition area during the third phase of the 138th Canton Fair in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 1, 2025. (China News Service/Chen Jimin)

At the booth of Jinjiang Qicaihu Garments Weaving Co., Ltd., Moroccan buyer Maria expressed interest in the firm's yoga pants, asking about the materials used and the shipping time to Morocco.

Xu Yongzhu, deputy general manager of the company, stated that the company was showcasing yoga wear, swimwear and other products made from recycled fabrics at this year's Canton Fair.

"In the past few days, overseas buyers from regions such as Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and South America have come to negotiate, and many have already scheduled factory visits," said Xu.

"To meet the needs of consumers worldwide, we've launched a line of AI-designed sportswear," Xu added. AI algorithms have reduced the design cycle by around 60 percent while cutting production costs by about 30 percent.

"This year, the company expects to export over 30 million products, with production already scheduled through April 2026," said Xu.

Data from China's General Administration of Customs shows that in the first three quarters of 2025, China's textile exports totaled $106.48 billion, up 2.1 percent year on year.