Textile and Apparel exports from China jumped 25 percent from last year touching US$ 18.8 billion in the first quarter of 2004. This is 12 percent of China''s total exports. The performance is considered remarkable despite the prevailing unfavourable export drawback policy that has effectively raised the production and export costs.

European Union (EU) data indicates that China exported more textile products (in the region of 10.7 percent) to the region last year, of the total imports into the area. Turkey and India followed with 9.6 percent and 7.2 percent.