Embroidering the fabric of success

You cannot mention Nantong without mentioning its textile industry. The city, which is in the central part of East China's Jiangsu province, has China's largest number of textile companies. Nantong Home Textile Market, also known as Zhihao market, mainly supplies fabrics. Located in Nantong's Tongzhou district, it has attracted more than 200,000 people to work for its 2,800 textile companies.

"In 1987, 21 farmers raised 10,500 yuan ($1,680) and founded the market," said Shi Yaxing, who works in the market's administration office. "After years of development, now 200,000 people are working for the textile industry in Tongzhou district. Sales in the market in 2013 reached 55 billion yuan.

"Customers can find the right goods, no matter what materials and patterns they want, in Zhihao market."