A dazzling winter cotton coat fashion show takes place in Houying town, Liaocheng in November. Models showcase the latest designs from local manufacturers, turning heads with their stylish winter wear. [Photo/IC]

Houying town, Dongchangfu district, Liaocheng, Shandong province, has emerged as a leading production base for lightweight winter cotton coat in northern China. In 2023, Houying town alone accounted for over 70 percent of the national production of these garments. The industry in Dongchangfu district has generated a yearly output of 1.5 billion yuan ($205 million) and provided jobs to over 6,500 people.

The winter cotton coat industry in Houying town has evolved rapidly over the past decade. In 2008, local farmers began sewing finished winter cotton coats at home. In 2016, the town saw the emergence of small-scale factories equipped with automated production equipment, enabling them to distribute products nationwide. By 2018, local businesses began leveraging online platforms like Taobao to sell their winter cotton coats.

Houying town boasts a skilled workforce of over 4,500 people, with an average monthly income of over 7,000 yuan. The winter cotton coat industry has become a significant source of income and employment for local residents.

In recent years, Houying town has implemented a series of measures to enhance the brand reputation and upgrade its winter cotton coat industry. These efforts include inviting experts to conduct on-site surveys, organizing study trips to Heze's Caoxian county to learn from its successful development of hanfu, conducting e-commerce training and sewing competitions, attracting e-commerce platforms and leading enterprises, and building winter cotton coat processing industrial parks.

Looking ahead, Houying town plans to focus on supporting local enterprises with strong competitiveness and driving force, promoting the integration and cluster development of upstream and downstream enterprises and continuously cultivating and strengthening the entire industrial chain. By providing facilities, funding, and technical support, the town aims to upgrade the entire industry.