One out of every five sweaters worldwide comes from Dalang, Dongguan—a knitwear cluster producing 900 million pieces annually with a GDP of 47.37 billion yuan. Now, this industrial hub is weaving intangible heritage into a new narrative. On June 24, the 10th Textile Intangible Heritage Conference kicked off alongside the 23rd China (Dalang) Knitwear Trade Fair and the 95th International Wool Conference, creating a 'three-in-one' synergy.
Industry and Culture as Dual Engines
The conference saw multiple strategic agreements covering heritage standards, product innovation, quality systems, brand collaboration, and investment attraction. Notably, the 'Textile Heritage Standards and Certification Cooperation' signed between CNTAC's heritage office and Dalang inspection bodies marks the first time intangible heritage techniques have quantifiable industry standards—critical for buyers assessing product authenticity.
Since its launch in 2017, the Textile Heritage Conference has traveled across provinces including Zhejiang, Beijing, and Yunnan. Its arrival in Dalang capitalizes on the town's deep integration of industry and culture. CNTAC President Sun Ruizhe noted that consumers now prioritize health, self-expression, and emotional connection, urging companies to convert cultural resources into brand value and industrial advantages into urban appeal.
From Runway to Factory: Heritage in Action
The highlight was a fashion show titled 'Heritage Symbiosis, Weaving the Future,' structured into three chapters: 'Qilin Rise,' 'Qilin March,' and 'Qilin Glory.' Local firms including Impression Prairie, Tongfa, Xinhongfeng, and Lanmei showcased designs centered on the Lingnan intangible heritage qilin pattern—a patented design by local artisan Wan Gongxue. The entire process, from creative extraction to industrial production, was completed locally, embodying 'Dalang design, Dalang production, Dalang presentation.'
This 'wearable cultural asset' is more than a concept. For Dalang manufacturers, integrating heritage techniques like plant dyeing and hand embroidery into knitwear creates a differentiation pathway amid fierce OEM competition. As overseas buyers increasingly value cultural traceability and sustainability, heritage certification could become a bargaining chip for premium pricing.
Policy Signals and Market Implications
Dongguan CPPCC Vice Chairman Qu Hongqi emphasized that textile and apparel is a pillar of the city's '8+8+4' modern industrial system. Dalang's 'three-in-one' model essentially packages trade shows, cultural events, and tourism experiences to generate compound momentum for industrial upgrading. The concurrent 'Lychee Red 2026' tourism consumption week further converts industrial traffic into consumer spending.
Data suggests Dalang's transformation pressure is real. The global wool market faces raw material volatility and fragmented demand, making scale-driven growth unsustainable. Agreements signed at the conference, including the 'Quality Service System Co-building Agreement' and 'Brand Supply-Demand Service Cooperation,' explicitly target quality improvements and market expansion.