Xijiao Fur

Xijiao Fur

　　　The fur industry in Xijiao has a long history and is well-known both at home and abroad. As early as the Shang Dynasty, this area was the cradle of China's fur trade. By the Ming Dynasty, a full-fledged production and trading system had taken shape, with the saying “the city gates were left unlocked at night, and gold worth a bushel flowed in daily” vividly describing the scene. In the Qing Dynasty, the fur industry in Xijiao grew to encompass over 10 trades, more than 100 product varieties, over 300 workshops and shops, and 24 foreign trading firms. Up until before the War of Resistance against Japan, Xijiao remained China’s hub for fur processing and distribution, with specialty stores selling Xijiao furs and skilled leather technicians spread across the country. Today, the city is home to 8,883 leather processing enterprises and businesses, mainly producing over 200 varieties across five major categories including leather goods, fur products, leather accessories, and felt. At the first China Leather Goods Expo held in September 1994, Xijiao fur products won 13 gold medals and 7 silver medals.

　　　　 To further leverage its traditional strengths and promote the development of the leather industry, construction began in 1993 on the China Xijiao Leather City. This commercial complex is one of the key national market projects prioritized during Hebei Province’s Ninth Five-Year Plan period. Covering an area of 80 hectares, with a total investment of 730 million yuan and a built-up area of 700,000 square meters, it has successfully hosted

　　three editions of the “China Xijiao Leather Trade Fair.” Currently, the city is home to over 1,000 business tenants, with more than 2,500 market stalls. During peak seasons, daily foot traffic reaches 50,000 visitors, generating over 5 million yuan in transactions. The main products include over 200 varieties across five major categories such as leather clothing, fur products, gloves, bags, and felt. The Leather Commercial City has become the largest leather trading market in the nation. During sales peaks, over 2,000 freight vehicles from all over the country arrive daily. Aside from dominating the domestic market, the products are also exported to more than 40 countries and regions including Russia, Japan, the UK, and the US. Annual export volume exceeds 600,000 items, generating foreign exchange earnings of 40 million USD. The city produces and sells over 200 styles across five major categories including various sheep leather garments, cashmere fabric clothing, fur garments, leather accessories, and felt. The products are known for their exquisite craftsmanship, fashionable designs, and superior quality, earning widespread acclaim from domestic and international buyers. The Leather City has now become the country’s largest leather production and trading hub. It stands as the nation’s largest, highest-grade leather commercial center, as well as a hub for production, research, and information.

　　　　The fur industry is a distinctive economic sector and pillar industry of Xijiao City. The city is home to nearly 10,000 processing enterprises involved in tanning, garment-making, and accessory production. Among them, there are 5 enterprises with annual output values exceeding 100 million yuan, and over 30 with output values surpassing 10 million yuan. This has led to the formation of 10 specialized districts and 30 specialized villages, employing over 80,000 people with an annual output value of over 4 billion yuan and export transactions valued at over 800 million yuan. The city currently hosts over 1,200 stationary merchants engaged in leather garment and accessory processing and sales. Of these, over 100 are from other regions, attracting 300 million yuan in foreign investment. There are also 1,500 itinerant merchants operating within the city, capable of producing 3.5 million garment sets and 5 million various leather accessories annually. In 1998, the market is projected to achieve a transaction volume of 2.6 billion yuan, with profits and taxes totaling 180 million yuan.

　　 The fur industry has a long history, with 27 enterprises having won national recognition in the China Leather Clothing Expo, including brand-name awards and gold and silver medals. By the end of 1998, the city had 4,663 leather enterprises employing over 60,000 people, producing 13.56 million hides and 3.85 million garments annually, with an output value of 4.2 billion yuan. There were also 1,411 machinery enterprises, generating an annual output value of 2.64263 billion yuan.

　　　　The development of the fur industry has driven growth in sectors such as garment manufacturing, catering, and transportation. By the end of 1998, the city’s gross domestic product reached 6.9 billion yuan, fiscal revenue amounted to 240 million yuan, per capita rural income was 3,354 yuan, and urban and rural savings totaled 3.66 billion yuan. The city has been honored as one of China’s Top Ten Sanitary Cities, a National Advanced Cultural City, a National Advanced Sports City, one of China’s Hundred Star Counties/Cities, China’s Pear Capital, China’s Leather Capital, among the Top Ten Counties/Cities in Comprehensive Economic Strength in Hebei Province, and one of the first Batch of Well-Off Counties/Cities in Hebei Province. From 1995 to 1998, it was consecutively recognized for four years as an Outstanding Performance County/City by the provincial Party committee and government.