Chairman Zhang Guoqiang Delivered the 2020 Report at the ISU Chairman Meeting
Chairman of ISU
Chairman of the Board of Cathaya Group
Dear leaders and distinguished guests,
In the year of 2020, COVID-19 has spread all over the world, the international silk industry and consumer market were severely impacted, and the international silk industry exchanges were restricted. Under the special circumstances, International Silk Union(ISU) strives to innovate working methods and actively carry out related work, with the care and guidance of relevant government departments, and the strong support and active participation of member units of various countries. ISU has achieved certain work results and has been recognized by the international silk industry, which is enhancing the international influence of the union. Below is the main work of ISU in 2020.
1. Fight the Epidemic, Assist Member Units in Purchasing Anti-epidemic Materials
Since March 2020, COVID-19 continued to spread all over the world, and the main silk producers and consumers were affected to varying degrees. International Silk Union (ISU) has learned about the status quo and difficulties faced by member units through questionnaires, emails, and telephones, and used the advantages of platform to assist member units in responding to the epidemic. ISU chairman unit, Zhejiang Cathaya Group sent the greeting letters to Stefano Vitali, vice chairman of ISU and president of Italian Silk Office, Xavier Lepingle, vice chairman of ISU, president of INTERSOIE France, and general manager of Holding Textile Hermès, Renata Amano, vice chairman of ISU and president of Brazilian Silk Association, and presented silk masks and other epidemic prevention materials, hoping to overcome the epidemic together and everything is going well.
Facing various uncertainties in the international market, on March 15, President Xavier Lepingle sought help from ISU to import a batch of disposable medical masks from China, hoping to help find reliable suppliers and ensure smooth customs clearance. After the multi-channel contact and docking, strict selection of supplier qualifications by ISU, chairman unit Cathaya Group helped to find the suppliers and assist export. On April 10, Holdings Textile Hermès successfully received the mask, the import price was reasonable, the product qualifications were good, and the order was handed over seamlessly, ensuring the smooth recovery and production of the enterprise.
2. Closely Follow the Situation, Carry out the Survey of Impact of COVID-19 on International Silk Industry and Consumer Market Trends
In order to study the future trends of international silk industry and consumer market, ISU secretariat carried out the survey of Impact of COVID-19 on International Silk Industry and Consumer Market Trends among the silk enterprises and related units in more than 10 silk producing and consuming countries including China, Italy, Japan, Brazil, India, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, etc. The questionnaire covers the basic information of the enterprise, and the impact of COVID-19 on the enterprise and international silk industry. Through the analysis and summary of the silk production / consumption data, response measures, and expert opinions of participating countries and regions, 41 pages of Chinese and English bilingual research reports were formed, released on the World Silk Website, as well as submitted to relevant government departments and industry organizations. On May 19, Union of International Associations (UIA) official website published the ISU survey report, the report has been recognized and further spread on the international authoritative platform.
3. Achieve International Promotion, ISU is Included in the Yearbook of International Organizations of UIA
In May 2020, after layers of approval and qualification recognition, ISU is included in the Yearbook of International Organizations of UIA, and was identified as a Type C organization (Intercontinental membership organizations), becoming the first silk international organization in the yearbook that the secretariat locates in China, and also one of the most active international silk industry organizations in UIA. Department of Commerce of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Municipal Government and its relevant departments spoke highly of the further improvement of ISU international influence, "The event has greatly enhanced the international influence of Hangzhou silk industry and the city, which should be fully affirmed," said Hu Wei, deputy mayor of Hangzhou Municipal Government.
4.Highlight Influence, Establish Contact with International Sericultural Commission and Strengthen Cooperation
Since June 2020, with the growing international influence of ISU, International Sericultural Commission(ISC) has sent letters to us in succession to step up exchanges and cooperation with ISU and sign a memorandum of cooperation, to reinforce exchanges and research on the life cycle assessment of sericulture and silk, as well as the green, eco-friendly and sustainable silk development, etc., elevate the image profile of silk and protect the interests of the silk industry, through partnership between two international organizations in the silk industry. After the preliminary docking and negotiation, in the later meeting agenda, ISU will formally sign a MoU with ISC to carry out in-depth exchanges and cooperation.
5.Expand Influence, Assist China National Silk Museum for 2020 Silk Road Week
Silk Road Week 2020 was organized by National Cultural Heritage Administration, People’s Government of Zhejiang Province, organized by China National Silk Museum (NSM), etc, co-organized by ISU, etc. ISU assisted to formulate the Management Measures for Franchised Merchants / Products and Designated Souvenirs, docked with designated souvenirs, published the magazine with the cover of Silk Road Week, and released the Invitation of the Activity Franchised Merchants and International Silk Boutique Exhibition to ISU members. On June 19, 2020, the opening ceremony of Silk Road Week 2020 home event was held at NSM.
6.Hold Exhibitions, Cooperate with NSM to Set up the International Silk Art Exhibition Hall
In the first half of 2020, ISU and the vice-chairman unit NSM jointly set up the International Silk Art Exhibition Hall, aiming to promote communication in the field of silk culture in various countries and regions of the world. Through the display of silk road brand boutiques, the broad and profound silk culture is reflected.
In June, the first exhibition, International Silk Boutique Exhibition---Silk Road Splendid is organized by ISU secretariat and NSM. As one of the home exhibitions of Silk Road Week 2020, this International Silk Boutique Exhibition invited the companies (brands) from Laos, Cambodia and China, more than 50 exhibits with brand and geographical representation were exhibited. Cai Xiaochun, Deputy secretary-general of the People's Government of Zhejiang Province, Zhang Guoqiang, Chairman of ISU, Chen Wenxing, Vice-chairman of ISU and Academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering, He Wenming, Deputy director of Nanchong Municipal Bureau of Commerce, etc, came to the visit.
In November, the second exhibition, Jingluntang Peach Blossom Spring Theme Exhibition is opened. Jingluntang is a high-end Chinese cultural silk brand co-founded by the chairman unit of ISU, Zhejiang Cathaya Group and the vice-chairman unit, NSM. It cultivates traditional Chinese culture and excavates interesting ideas, weaves silk cultural products with noble texture and elegant taste, using ingenious craftsmanship and the unique artistic perspective.
7. Disseminate Technologies, Discuss the Characterization of the Quality Grade of Raw Silk and the Promotion of the Carbon Neutrality Application
Since July 2020, at the proposal of INTERSOIE France, Italian Silk Office and Technical Innovation Professional Committee of ISU, based on the international standard concerning the electronic detection of raw silk, the electronic classification and characterization of the quality grade of raw silk had been examined in depth and related standards had been discussed. With the support of China Silk Association, they organize the Chinese silk experts, and ISU secretariat offers relevant platforms and resources, jointly organizes experts in other international silk industries, then peers in European industries to jointly promote relevant jobs. ISU secretariat supports and assists the Brazilian member Vale da Seda in making a Carbon Neutrality application platform SILKO2 PRO, which contains versions in different languages, including Chinese, Portuguese, English, Italian, French and German. Through dissemination and popularization by platforms of various member states of ISU, the concept of the sustainable, circular and economic development of silk has been promoted.
8. Build Platform, Create Silk City Lounge and International Silk Boutique Store
On the evening of November 19, the Hangzhou Leisure and Shopping Festival in 2020 entitled New Consumption • Intoxicated Hangzhou & the Opening Ceremony of the Provincial High-quality Pedestrian Street was held in Hangzhou China Silk Town. Zhou Jiangyong, Secretary of Hangzhou Municipal Party Committee, and other leaders jointly pressed the starting button. City Lounge · Hangzhou China Silk Town, the first silk city lounge in Hangzhou co-built by ISU secretariat, Hangzhou City Brand Promotion Association, Hangzhou Oriental Silk Culture and Brand Research Center and Hangzhou China Silk Town officially settled down here.
During the opening ceremony, a high-end silk boutique store co-hosted by ISU secretariat, the chairman unit Zhejiang Cathaya Group and the City Investment Group of Xiacheng District, was also opened ceremoniously, which features Cathaya’s high-end silk products and also displays multiple international silk brand products from Italy, Brazil, Cambodia, Laos, Bangladesh and other countries. Zhou Jiangyong, Secretary of Hangzhou Municipal Party Committee, and other leaders paid a visit on spot.
9. International Strength, Attend the Video Conference of International Network of Silk Cities and Metropoles in Conjunction with Many Countries
On November 20, 2020, the Video Conference of International Network of Silk Cities and Metropoles was successfully held. Representatives from the organizations and silk cities of 8 countries, including Brazil, China, France, Georgia, Italy, Japan, Spain and Uzbekistan joined in the conference. The conference was sponsored by Lyon Metropole, Lyon Municipal Government and INTERSOIE France and co-hosted by many units, including ISU, vice-chairman units Italian Silk Office and Brazilian Silk Association. During the preparation of the conference, the secretariat used dual-platform equipment to overcome technical difficulties of international video conferences, and provide conferees from Hangzhou and Nanchong, China with stable and high-quality two-way simultaneous interpretation.
10.Promotion platform, Establish the Media Matrix of World Silk Website
In 2020, World Silk Website, as the official website of ISU, practices the operating philosophy of Communication & Cooperation, Development with Concerted Efforts, strengthens and improves the construction of local reporter stations, newly established the World Silk Website - Nanchong Reporter Station, Impact of COVID-19 on International Silk Industry and Consumer Market Trends, Silk Road Week, and other columns. At the same time, making full use of self-media channels, on the basis of the original official website and public account, added the Toutiao, Sohu, Baijia, and Penguin. Through the authorization of synchronous public account, the content is updated synchronously, and the media matrix of World Silk Website is initially established, realizes the multichannel promotion, attracts more users and visits, and expands the audience.
In the whole year of 2020, world silk website totally published nearly 360 articles. The visits to the website are about 40,000. We-chat public account published 200 articles, the whole reading amount is more than 200,000, subscribers are more than 8,000. The cumulative reading volume of other self-media is about 650,000.
11.Daily Work of ISU Secretariat
In 2020, ISU secretariat handled a total of 300 emails, including 250 English and 50 Chinese, mainly to . At the same time, ISU secretariat designed and produced the ISU brochure and image promo, which comprehensively introduced the development of ISU since its establishment through intuitive graphics and video to facilitate readers.
12.Work Plan of ISU in 2021
(1) Launch 2021 ISU Chairman Meeting & International Think Tank Forum on Silk Sustainable Development.
Proposed and invited by ISC, supported by ISU vice chairmen of Italy, France, Brazil, ISU build this platform today, to launch the 2021 ISU Chairman Meeting & International Think Tank Forum on Silk Sustainable Development, inviting the silk experts from China, Italy, France, Brazil and India, etc. to deliver keynote speeches and jointly release the proposal for the comprehensive and objective life cycle assessment of silk products, which is to discuss a scientific solution to propel the Carbon Neutrality of international silk industry, and maintain the international image and interests of the silk industry.
(2) Organize the main ISU members to participate in the the annual meeting of International Network of Silk Cities and Metropoles.
On the premise that the epidemic is under control and the policy permits, in May or June 2021, ISU plans to attend the rotating meeting of International Network of Silk Cities and Metropoles in Uzbekistan, and organize the main ISU member units to pay a visit to the silk industry in Uzbekistan. In November 2021, ISU plans to attend the Silk in Lyon 2021 and the regular meeting of International Network of Silk Cities and Metropoles, organize the main ISU member units to pay a visit to the silk industry in Europe. Depending on the prevention and control of epidemic, online video conference is also considered.
(3) Continue with the academic discussion and standard setting work on the characterization of the quality grade of raw silk.
At the proposal of the vice-chairman units Italian Silk Office, INTERSOIE France and Technical Innovation Professional Committee of ISU, the ISU secretariat will set up an exchange platform and work in tandem with technical experts from silk industries in China, Italy, France and other countries, to continue with research on the classification and characterization of the quality grade of raw silk and discussion on related standards.
(4) Support the exchange activities in the international silk industry.
On the premise that the epidemic is under control and the policy permits, ISU will continue to maintain exchanges and interactions with member units from various countries, take an active part and support exchange activities in silk industries of member states, such as Silk Road Week 2021, Western China International Silk Expo 2021, Silk in Lyon 2021 and Vietnam-International Silk & Brocade Culture Festival 2021, etc.
(5)Optimize the working mechanism of ISU, develop and replace ISU member units.
Give full play to the complementary advantages of resources among the members, improve the international service level of ISU, and promote the sustainable development of the union work. Under the structure of constitution of ISU, optimize the operation mechanism, and improve the management methods of members. Continue to absorb member units from silk producing countries and consumer countries in terms of embodying internationalization, cross-industry, scientific research and innovation, and whole textiles. Member units that do not participate in the union activities for a long time and do not support the development of union will be demoted and replaced.
(6) Strengthen the construction of ISU secretariat and upgrade the influence of media matrix of ISU.
To give full play to role of ISU organization and structure, ISU plans to hold Chairmen Working Meeting of ISU Secretariat regularly and invite the chairman, vice-chairmen, secretary-general and deputy secretary-generals to attend the meeting. Enhance the international influence of ISU journal -- Journal of Silk, reinforce the construction and development of the convergence media matrix of ISU official promotion platform -- World Silk Website, enhancing the international influence of ISU and ISU member units.
(7)Play the role of bridge, strengthen the communication and interaction, cross-border cooperation with international silk textile industry organizations and government departments.
Strengthen exchanges and interactions with international silk textile industry organizations such as the International Textile Manufactures Federation (ITMF), International Sericultural Commission (ISC), INTERSOIE France, Italian Silk Office, Brazilian Silk Association and Japan Silk Business Council. In the meanwhile, actively participate in the industry activities organized by National Cocoon and Silk Coordination Office of Ministry of Commerce of China, China National Textile and Apparel Council, China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Textiles, China Silk Association, China Sericulture Society and other departments to cooperate with the industry development.
Promote cross-border cooperation and product application between the fields of silk and textiles, and promote the diversified use of cocoon and silk resources in the fields like bio-medicine and general health.
(8)Visit and report ISU members, and serve the industry development.
ISU secretariat will actively understand the development trends and needs of the members, visit and research key silk regions and enterprises at home and abroad, promote and recommend ISU members, strengthen exchanges and cooperation, and promote the healthy and sustainable development of the international silk industry.
