Little-known 'Underwear Hub' looks to expand global imprint

Backed by complete supply chain, Shenhu town navigates trade uncertainties

Shenhu, a little-known small town in Jinjiang, Fujian province, has struck gold by producing more than 20 percent of the world's underwear.

It has around 500 underwear companies and supporting factories that generate an annual output value exceeding 50 billion yuan ($6.97 billion). More than 10 million pieces are shipped to global markets daily, data from local authorities showed.

"We used to be a fishing town, relying on the sea for livelihood. After the reform and opening-up, overseas Chinese relatives brought back foreign lingerie, which opened the eyes of Shenhu residents to new business opportunities. This led to a shift from a single maritime-based economy to a more diversified production and lifestyle," said Yang Huisu, executive vice-president of Jinjiang Shenhu Chamber of Commerce.