A wide variety of new fabrics and new technologies are on display at the ongoing 137th China Import and Export Fair in south China's Guangzhou City, reflecting the accelerated evolution in the country's textile industry.
Running from April 15 to May 5, the 137th China Import and Export Fair, popularly known as the Canton Fair, is divided into three themed phases -- "Advanced Manufacturing," "Quality Home Living," and the current phase, "Better Life," which opened on Thursday.
At the home textiles section of the fair, more than 1,600 exhibitors are showcasing their latest products and innovations at over 3,100 booths covering a total area of 65,700 square meters.
The new materials on display include optical variable yarns, soil-release fabric, wrinkle-resistant fabric, and anti-static fabric made of polyester cotton conductive yarn.
As for the new technologies, a shining example is a system integrating a fabric tester, a scanner, and a digital "library" that can store the information of more than 10,000 kinds of fabrics to help with garment design and production.
Equipped with 3D flexible simulation technology, the digital system allows designers to zoom in to see the texture of each yarn of a garment and conduct realistic simulation to see whether the garments fit.
It can shorten the garment sampling period from the previous 30 days to four or five days, greatly improving efficiency and reducing costs. Held twice a year, each edition of the Canton Fair sees brand new fabrics and new technologies, demonstrating the innovation vitality of Chinese textile companies.
Canton Fair showcases new textile materials, technologies
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
