In Xiuzhou district, Jiaxing, East China's Zhejiang province, the traditional sweater industry is accelerating its transformation with the rise of the air economy.
Leveraging the speed advantages of nearby aviation hubs, the cluster centered in Honghe town is moving from cost-driven manufacturing toward digitalized and international operations.
An aerial view of Honghe town in Jiaxing. [Photo/Tide News]
At the 2025 Zuimei Honghe Sweater Season, representatives of textile markets, cross-border e-commerce platforms, and overseas buyers discussed how digital upgrades and air logistics are reshaping the sector. Honghe's "Sweater Pi" platform has become a key driver, integrating sourcing, sampling, distribution, logistics, and settlement services. The platform has attracted over 130 firms and nearly 20 service providers, selling more than 32 million pieces of sweaters valued at over $100 million. It has also built ties with 15 overseas wholesale markets and set up direct-sales centers and warehouses abroad.
The interface of "Sweater Pi" platform. [Photo/Tide News]
Artificial intelligence and virtual reality technologies are helping smaller firms overcome design and marketing barriers, while digital showrooms and virtual customer services are enhancing trade efficiency. On the production side, local factories are adopting smart knitting machines and automated dyeing systems. These have cut water usage by 20 percent and gas consumption by nearly 20 percent while raising output value by 60 million yuan ($8.4 million) annually.
With the Jiaxing Nanhu Airport and YTO's logistics hub under development, Xiuzhou is strengthening its ecosystem of aviation logistics, cross-border e-commerce, and digital services.
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