Ties to strengthen between Wenzhou and Xinji
Cooperation between China’s twin centres of production for leather and footwear looks set to intensify following an auspicious meeting between representatives of Wenzhou and Xinji cities last month.
The meeting, which took place on December 8, concentrated on cementing ties between the footwear industry of Wenzhou city and the leather producing centre of Xinji city (Hebei province), and was supported by the CLIA (Chinese Leather Industry Association).
Speaking at the meeting, the mayor of Xinji announced a contract for Rmb150 million ($18.13 million) between the two cities and emphasised the growing importance of the partnership for the development of the leather industry. The integration of China’s internal resources is seen as crucial for the country if it is to compete in the international markets following entry to the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
Wenzhou city has been named China’s "shoe capital" with a large concentration of footwear manufacturers, while Xinji is China’s most important leather producer, with an output of Rmb5 billion ($604.113 million) in 2000. In terms of future planning for the leather and footwear industries, the Chinese government is said to favour the establishment of a new dedicated leather production zone, and is also seeking to build up footwear manufacturing in Western China.
