One out of every five sweaters in the world comes from Dalang, Dongguan. On June 24, this textile town with over 40 years of history held a triple event that sent a clear signal to the industry: competition in wool textiles is no longer just about production efficiency but has shifted to a comprehensive contest of digital systems, cultural narratives, and full-chain ecosystems.
The 23rd Knitting & Textile Fair, the 95th International Wool Textile Conference, and the 10th Textile Intangible Cultural Heritage Conference were held simultaneously for the first time, attracting over 30,000 visitors. Sun Ruizhe, President of the China National Textile and Apparel Council, emphasized that Dalang's wool cluster is transitioning from 'manufacturing' to 'intelligent manufacturing' and 'creation'.
Data behind the industrial base
Dalang's annual trade volume across the entire wool textile chain exceeds 72 billion yuan. Supporting this scale is a solid hardware foundation: 150,000 computerized flat knitting machines and nearly 10,000 seamless integrated knitting machines, with digital coverage of core processes close to 100%. This means the design-to-ship cycle for a sweater has been compressed from 7-10 days to 2-3 days, with product quality rates exceeding 99%.
Upstream, Dalang develops nearly 10,000 new yarn varieties annually and holds two-thirds of China's fancy yarn patents. At the fair, new functional yarns were showcased, including nano-level waterproof, oil-proof, and anti-fouling yarns, as well as UV-blocking, heat-generating, and deodorizing antibacterial types. Local company Nanxi Apparel demonstrated these materials live.
On the equipment side, new intelligent flat knitting machines and seamless integrated knitting machines were highlights. Leading company New Hong Feng has widely adopted these technologies along with AI design tools. For buyers, this means shorter lead times and higher quality consistency; for smaller factories, it signals increasing pressure to upgrade.
Digital and intangible heritage: two seemingly opposite directions
The two most eye-catching 'stars' at the fair were the AI sweater model and the intangible heritage fashion show. The former represents efficiency and standardization; the latter represents culture and differentiation. They appear contradictory but actually form two legs of industrial upgrading.
The AI sweater model (OPC) can generate styles, design patterns, and automatically break down process parameters. The fair featured an AI customization experience zone where visitors could experience '2-hour ultra-fast garment making.' This system is backed by Dalang's ERP big data platform, which connects order, production, warehouse, logistics, and sales data for real-time tracking and dynamic inventory management.
On the heritage side, designer Wang Dong partnered with local companies Impression Grassland, Tongfa, New Hong Feng, and Blue Beauty, along with heritage inheritor Wan Gongxue, to create 36 original knitted garments featuring the Qilin pattern. The show presented three chapters: morning life, urban commuting, and evening gala attire, demonstrating the transformation from heritage inspiration to modern fashion. Two exhibition zones, 'Weave·Core' and 'Weave·Soul,' combined high-precision robotic arms with knitted lion heads and used yarn to create a 'Colorful Auspicious Cloud Dragon.'
Strategic positioning of the regional industrial belt
Dalang Party Secretary Dong Tie stated that the fair is a key window for promoting China's wool textile industry globally. This year's fair was moved to June to deeply integrate international industry conferences with national exhibitions and to open new pathways for heritage-industry integration.
On a broader level, Dalang is advancing the 'Dalang Weaving Valley·Greater Bay Area Wool Textile Reception Hall' project. This platform, located at the Dalang station of Metro Line 1, aims to serve the global wool textile industry. Its core building, 'Dalang Eye,' symbolizes the region's global aspirations.
Qu Hongqi, Vice Chairman of Dongguan CPPCC, noted that the textile and apparel industry is a key pillar of Dongguan's modern industrial system. Dalang's wool cluster is moving toward a 100-billion-yuan scale. Multiple strategic agreements were signed during the event, covering cultural heritage, quality improvement, market connection, and space expansion.
Practical insights for buyers and factories
For buyers - Focus on functional yarns and integrated knitting machine products on display; these are now available at scale and can be included in next season's sourcing list. - Use the AI customization zone to test small-batch rapid prototyping; the 2-hour service means traditional 30-day development cycles are compressed, ideal for fast-fashion orders. - Monitor the 'Dalang Premium' satellite pavilion network; cross-regional displays allow buyers to access multiple clusters in one visit, reducing sourcing costs.
For factories - The adoption of integrated knitting machines and AI tools is raising the efficiency bar. If not yet introduced, assess the ROI—leading companies in Dalang have achieved full digitalization with 99% quality rates and 2-3 day cycles. - Heritage-wool fusion cases (like the Qilin pattern series) show that differentiated design can command premium prices. Factories can collaborate with local designers or heritage inheritors to develop culturally distinctive product lines. - The 'Dalang Weaving Valley' project will attract more international buyers. Prepare to connect with its business services to expand overseas customer bases.
Conclusion
Dalang's triple event is not just an upgraded trade fair but a microcosm of China's wool textile industry transitioning from manufacturing advantage to ecosystem advantage. When 72 billion yuan in annual trade is layered with AI models, intangible heritage, and full-chain digital systems, the competitive dimensions have fundamentally changed. For every participant, understanding the speed of this shift may be more urgent than chasing orders.