Construction of the first phase of an international textile base has begun in Chaoyang district of Shantou, Guangdong province, to help upgrade and expand the local textile and garment industry.

The project, with a planned area of 333.33 hectares and an investment of 30.5 billion yuan ($4.2 billion), will include a textile manufacturing park and a global procurement center, aiming to be built into a modern industrial and chain hub integrating technology research and development, manufacturing, exhibition and sales, and smart logistics.

The textile and garment industry has become one of the distinctive and advantageous pillar industries in Shantou, with the most complete industrial chain and a production value exceeding 100 billion yuan, according to the local industry and information authorities.

Citing a rapid increase of the number of local nylon materials companies, Wen Zhanbin, Party chief of Shantou, said the textile and clothing industry has entered a new phase of green and smart development.

The city has only one enterprise in the production of nylon materials, with a production capacity of only 17,000 metric tons. The local production of nylon materials will be expanded to 400,000 tons in the next two years, with the establishment of four to five such new companies.

"Expansion of the production of nylon materials has fully demonstrated confidence from local textile and clothing businesses, with more funds being invested in the industry," said Wen.

After completion of the project, it will become one of the largest textile parks in China and a major trade center for global textile production and sales, helping Shantou to create a textile industry cluster with a complete industrial chain and a large professional market, according to Wen.