According to the industry data the state owned enterprises of China saw their textile and garment exports jumped 13 per cent in the first eight months of this year to $21.54 billion from the year-ago period.

Figures compiled by the China Association of Textile Industry showed sewn good exports made by foreign-funded firms rose 24 per cent year-on-year to just under $17.1bn.

Meanwhile, media reports in China said the country''s clothing and textile exports are expected to break through the $70bn barrier this year, up around 12 per cent from 2002.