Silk industry in China
China is the world's largest and earliest silk producer. The vast majority of Chinese silk originates from the mulberry silkworms. During the larval stage of its life cycle, the insects feed on the leaves of mulberry trees. Non-mulberry silkworm cocoon production in China primarily focuses on wild silk from the Chinese Tussah moth. This moth typically feeds on trees and its larvae spin coarser, flatter, yellower filament than the mulberry silkworms.
History
Following World War II, the redevelopment of the silk industry was one of the few economic successes of China's Nationalist government under Chiang Kai-shek.In 2005, China accounted for 74 percent of the global raw silk production and 90 percent of the world export market.
Industrial plans
Local governments have and are continuing to introduce new facilities that are expected to bring in latest high-end silk manufacturing machinery that will elevate both the quality and the quantity of the silk being produced in China. It is estimated that it will render significant revenue increases as its new facilities bring increased production and distribution capabilities.The Chinese government provides a range of preferential policies supporting the silk industry, including land policy exemptions, tax breaks, project prioritization, and Energy discounts. In the recent years, despite exporting extensively abroad, most Chinese productions are consumed domestically.