Guangzhou International Light Textile City reopens after the holiday, with 190 lion dancers boosting the scene. Optimistic about a "Year of the Horse" success! Some merchants already have orders scheduled through the end of the year.

Text / Yangcheng Evening News Reporter Liang Yitao

Images / Yangcheng Evening News Reporter Cai Jiahong

On February 28, accompanied by 190 lively lion dancers, Guangzhou International Light Textile City and Zhongda South Gate Accessories City (hereinafter referred to as “Guangzhou International Light Textile City”) in Haizhu District, Guangzhou, officially reopened after the Spring Festival of the Year of the Horse. According to preliminary statistics, over 95% of merchants have resumed work. Several interviewed merchants expressed optimism about the market this year, with some orders already scheduled until the end of the year.

On that day, the management of Guangzhou International Light Textile City held a “2026 Spring Festival Opening Lion Dance” reopening ceremony. 190 majestic lion dancers performed on site, interacting with merchants and customers, as the textile city opened amid a festive atmosphere.

“Merchants are actively resuming operations.” Sheng Qianyu, senior manager of Public Relations and Corporate Communications at Guangzhou International Light Textile City, said that, according to preliminary statistics, more than 95% of merchants had resumed work on the first day of reopening. This not only helps companies quickly ship goods but also allows buyers from across the country and around the world to purchase their desired products in a timely manner.

Guangdong’s textile and apparel industry has a solid foundation and is well-known. As the core market of Zhongda Textile Business District in Haizhu District, Guangzhou, Guangzhou International Light Textile City holds a significant position in the industry, with many high-quality textile raw materials sold worldwide. During visits, many merchants quickly resumed work after the reopening ceremony, fully committed to promoting Lingnan textile products globally.

Regarding the market prospects for the Year of the Horse, merchants expressed confidence. “Foreign trade demand is increasing, and we plan to enhance our foreign trade operations this year,” said Peng Liangmin, General Manager of Dengguang Textile. He explained that even before the official reopening of Guangzhou International Light Textile City, his company had resumed operations on February 26. The reason for early resumption was related to growing demand from overseas clients. He noted that about 90% of their business in previous years was domestic; however, recent demand trends show more foreign trade clients sourcing from Guangzhou Haizhu. The company plans to keep 70% of its business domestic and 30% international this year. Besides managing store operations at the textile city, the company also plans to participate in exhibitions and sales events in major domestic and international cities.

“We are already thinking about business in 2027,” said Zhong Feng, Marketing Director of Fengcheng Textile. He mentioned that employees were fully engaged on the first day of reopening, with 70% to 80% of their business focused domestically and 20% to 30% overseas, mainly in the U.S. and Europe. Based on current orders, they have already started processing orders for fall and winter 2026, meaning existing orders are scheduled until the end of the year, and planning for spring 2027 production has begun. “From current order demands, we are optimistic about China’s textile market this year,” Zhong Feng said. He hopes to collaborate with more excellent peers and clients to help “spread Chinese goods worldwide.”