A German corporate executive stated that driven by higher quality standards, design innovation, and the rapid use of artificial intelligence, China will continue to be the world's leading textile producer. 
Olaf Schmidt, Vice President of Textiles and Textile Technology at Frankfurt Messe GmbH, the organizer of the German Trade Fair and event, stated in a speech during the 2025 Autumn Edition of the Shanghai International Textile Exhibition in early September that China remains an important pillar of the group's global textile exhibition portfolio, hosting 9 out of 60 textile trade shows. 
Schmidt stated that Intertextile Shanghai Clothing Fabric Trade Fair has developed into the world's most important clothing fabric platform, bringing together over 3700 exhibitors from 26 economies and buyers from nearly 100 countries. 
Shanghai is always a must visit place. It is a global industrial hub that showcases the latest designs, materials, and innovations, "he said, adding that China's role as a world exporter makes it a natural hub for global trade. 

In addition to clothing, Frankfurt Exhibition also holds home and technical textile expos in China, with Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles and Cinte Techtextile China attracting strong participation from domestic and foreign exhibitors. 
This German company is also holding trade exhibitions in Vietnam, Uzbekistan, Colombia, and other markets to help textile companies, including Chinese companies, seize new opportunities. 
Schmidt said that although the United States has encountered headwinds related to tariffs, in the long run, China will still be the largest producer of textiles and clothing. The industry here has transformed from a pure quantity producer to a value driven participant, investing in sustainability, digital solutions, and artificial intelligence in design and production. 
He pointed out that Chinese companies are increasingly establishing their own brands and providing customized products, which can help them achieve higher profits both domestically and internationally. 
For example, it is expected that in January, more than 1000 Chinese companies will exhibit at the flagship national and contract textile international trade fair Heimtextil held in Frankfurt, highlighting their desire to expand globally. 
Chen Jianwei, a researcher at the China Open Economy Research Institute at Beijing International University of Business and Economics, said that the thriving exhibition economy will help China expand its sales channels in developed and emerging markets, while promoting service trade in logistics, civil aviation, retail, and catering industries. 
In 2024, China held 3844 economic and trade exhibitions with a total area of 155 million square meters. According to the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, although the number of activities remained basically unchanged from the previous year, the exhibition area increased by 10.1% year-on-year, reflecting the steady growth momentum of the national exhibition industry.