"I have high hopes for China's textile industry, and its fortunes will gradually improve as the country's economic emphasis continues to shift from export to domestic consumption," said Sun.
His view was echoed by Zhang Xiaoji, director-general of foreign economic relations at the Development Research Center of the State Council.
"Some view the textile industry as a sunset industry, but it still has a huge amount of development potential," said Zhang, also a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.
Gianni Zhang, also a deputy to the National People's Congress, said he is confident Chinese textiles have a place in the overseas market.
His company has already opened branches in Macao and is planning to expand to Southeast Asian nations such as Singapore and Thailand.
Its sales volume saw a 15 percent growth in 2012.
Marjorie Yang, chairwoman of the board of directors of Hong Kong-based Esquel Group, a world-leading producer of premium cotton shirts, said if Chinese clothing companies are successful in improving on quality and design, the tough environment can be turned into an opportunity as they can expand their market share while others are shrinking.
Esquel has been involved with the Chinese Academy of Sciences on the research into new dyestuff, said Yang, predicting that those companies which focus on production will see a drop in sales.
Zhang Xiaoji said one crucial advantage China has over its Asian textile rivals is its highly developed industrial chain as well as the investment made in the latest production technologies.
"We are getting closer to US and European levels," he added.
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