Economy&Life | From seaside to swimwear superpower: Hidden industry giant in northeast China

HULUDAO, July 25 (Xinhua) -- Xingcheng, a tiny coastal city with a population of less than 500,000, has quietly emerged as a global giant in the swimwear industry. It produces an astonishing 170 million pieces of swimwear every year -- one out of every four swimwear items sold worldwide is made here.

The transformation of this unassuming city from a modest seaside town into a major player in the global fashion market started in the 1980s when it saw a surge in tourists flocking to its beautiful beaches. Inspired by the colorful swimwear those tourists wore, locals set out to make versions of their own at home. What began as family business quickly emerged into a booming industry.

To date, players in Xingcheng's swimwear industry annually generates a combined output value of 15 billion yuan (about 2.09 billion U.S. dollars).