The five days between 17 and 21 October 2006 saw the staging of the 10th China International Textile Machinery Exhibition (CITME 2006) at China International Exhibition Center, Beijing (CIEC). Benefiting from the booming Chinese economy, especially the fast growth of the textile industry, the exhibition enjoyed an increase in both exhibiting space and number of trade visitors. Over the 65,000 square metres exhibition space, 1,100 exhibitors from 25 countries and regions displayed their latest products, covering all main categories of textile machinery. The largest foreign contingent of exhibitors at CITME 2006 came from Japan followed by Switzerland, Germany and Italy.

Statistics from the exhibitors’ poll showed most of foreign exhibitors were highly satisfied with the organisation of this event, the quality of visitors and the business environment. Most of the  total 36,635 visitors, of which 35% were decision-makers, came from Chinese manufacturers of textiles or garments, manufacturers of textile machinery, trading companies and R&D institutes. About 10% of the visitors came from Hong Kong, Korea, China Taiwan, Pakistan, India, Japan and Thailand, proving the strong brand influence of CITME in this area.

A highlight of CITME 2006 was the high level bilateral and multilateral meetings among the world textile machinery manufacturing community. During the exhibition period, Mr. Du Yuzhou, the Chairman of China National Textile and Apparel Council (CNTC), Mr. Xu Kunyuan, Mr. Gao Yong, Mr. Zhang Yankai, the Vice Chairmen of CNTC, and Mr. Fu Rongpei, the Vice Chairman of CCPIT TEX, Mr. Wang Shutian, the Vice President and Secretary General of China Textile Machinery Association, met the leaders of textile machinery associations from major textile machinery manufacturing countries. Discussions cnetred on the win-win future between Chinese textile industry and foreign equipment manufacturers.

On 18 October, as a part of CITME 2006, the International Textile Equipment Manufacturing Industry Summit was successfully held in Beijing. The top industry opinion leaders came together to exchange viewpoints on the challenges and opportunities which the industry is facing.

Meanwhile, 3,001 professionals attended 27 technical seminars, a big rise over previous events in 2004. This showed the strong demand for an international exchange of ideas and experience state-of-the-art technologies.

The success of CITME is critical to the industry. As reiterated by the top leaders of China National Textile and Apparel Council, the Chinese textile industry is taking the new concept of sustainable development in a coordinated and all-round manner and is moving forward along the road of new industrialisation which is highlighted by high technology, good economic benefits, low consumption of resources, less environmental pollution and the advantage of labour resources. There is no doubt that the upgrading and transforming process of the Chinese textile industry will continue to create greater global demand for advanced equipment in the coming years.

Finally, we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all parties concerned, including our exhibitors and supporting organisations. Your further cooperation will be highly appreciated. In 2008, two established industry exhibitions, ITMA ASIA and CITME will combine and one mega-event will be held from 27 to 31 July 2008, at the Shanghai New International Expo Center, Shanghai, China. With the joint effort from show organisers and the assistance and support from the industry worldwide, it will be a successful event in China again.