Report of International Silk Union (2017.10-2018.1
Chairman of ISU, Mr. Li Jilin
Nov. 13, 2018
Distinguished guests, my dear friends, ladies and gentlemen,
Good morning!
Como is the silk capital of Italy, and 95% of the silk produced in Italy is from Como. Today, alongside the beautiful Como Lake, we come together and hold the 2018 International Silk Union Chairman Enlarged Meeting. I herewith report the work of International Silk Union (ISU) since the second union members assembly, discuss with you the future work plan, hold the seminar on the new development trends of international silk industry, and convene the union committee meeting. First of all, on behalf of ISU, I here present warm welcome and hearty thanks to all the present leaders, guests and friends. In particular, I would like to thank the union vice chairman unit---Italian Silk Office, for your great support to the preparations for the meeting!
ISU aims to promote communication and cooperation of the silk industry among countries, promote the progress and development on the international silk culture, education scientific research, design, production, standards and testing, trade and consumption etc., and further enhance the healthy and stable development of the silk industry. The union is a cooperation and exchange platform for the international silk industry. Over the past three years since its foundation, ISU has carried out lots of works, for example, organizing regional silk culture exchange activities; convening 2016 ISU Chairman Enlarged Meeting and 2017 ISU Members Assembly; holding Belt and Road Forum for International Silk, Topic Discussion on the Sustainable Development of Silk Industry, and International Silk Seminar on Fashion Design and Developing Trend; setting up the History Culture, Fashion Design, Education Research, Technical Innovation and Trade Manufacture Professional Committees; revising and upgrading the World Silk Website. With the active cooperation of member units, all works have achieved good results.
In 2018, ISU continues to adhere the purpose of “communication and cooperation, development with concerted efforts”, and also achieves a lot under the support and cooperation of all the member units, mainly in the following aspects.
1. Promote Exchanges and Cooperation of the Silk Industry among Countries
(1) ISU chairman had communication with Italian and Brazilian members.
On October 19, 2017, during the the second union members assembly, Mr. Li Jilin, chairman of ISU, had a meeting with the Italian and Brazilian members, and deeply communicated on the future development of the union and strengthening international cooperation.
(2) ISU secretariat accompany the Cambodian government delegation for visit.
On October 19, 2017, ISU secretariat accompany H.E Mao Thora, minister of commerce of Cambodia and president of Cambodia Silk Sector Development and Promotion Commission, H.E Kong Chan, deputy Minister of Agriculture of Cambodia, and other delegation members to visit ISU member units---High Fashion (China) Co., Ltd. and Hangzhou Vocational and Technical College.
(3) ISU chairman and vice chairman were invited to attend French silk exhibition in China National Silk Museum.
On October 20, 2017, invited by Mr. Zhao Feng, vice chairman of ISU and curator of China National Silk Museum, Mr. Li Jilin, chairman of ISU, Mr. Xavier LEPINGLE, vice chairman of ISU and president of INTERSOIE France, attended the opening ceremony and relevant events of “Glory on Silk, French Textile 1700 to the Present”, which was held in China National Silk Museum.
(4) ISU chairman was invited to attend the French silk festival.
On November 30 - December 2, 2017, invited by Mr. Xavier LEPINGLE, president of INTERSOIE France and vice chairman of ISU, Mr. Li Jilin, chairman of ISU, attended the mayor of Lyon welcome dinner and the annual French silk festival.
During the festival, Mr. Li Jilin and Mr. Xavier LEPINGLE had a deep communication on the future work plan of ISU, mainly include the proposal of 2018 ISU Chairman Enlarged Meeting and participation in 2018 French silk festival. Mr. Li also had a meeting with Mr. Michele Canepa, the former president of International Silk Association. Mr. Canepa congratulates the establishment of the union, and expresses that the world silk industry needs such a platform to communicate with each other. Both sides also held a detail discussion on the price rise of raw silk and exchanged their views.
(5) ISU delegation was invited to attend the Tea-Silk Culture Week in Bao Loc, Vietnam.
On December 24-26, 2017, invited by the People's Committee of Bao Loc City and ISU member unit---Vietnam Sericulture Association, ISU delegation attended the 7th Da Lat Flower Festival Tea-Silk Culture Week. There were totally more than 20 members from Zhejiang, Guangdong, Guangxi of China, Japan and Cambodia, having a close observation to understand Vietnamese silk industry.
After the event, Mr. Fei Jianming, secretary-general of ISU, completed a report “Analysis on the Development Prospects of Vietnamese Silk ” and transferred to the People's Committee of Bao Loc City and Vietnam Sericulture Association. The content mainly include the event overview, the Vietnamese silk situation, the development space and key points of Vietnamese silk, the feasibility of foreign investment in Vietnamese silk. The association considered it would make great help for the development of sericulture and silk industry of Vietnam. They have already published the report on the official website of Vietnam Sericulture Association.
(6) ISU member unit---Matsumura Co., Ltd. visited ISU in Hangzhou.
On December 21, 2017, Mr. Kosho Matsunaga, the managing director of ISU member unit---Matsumura Co., Ltd., made a special trip to visit ISU in Hangzhou, mainly to learn about the ISU events in Hangzhou in October, introduced the business situation, scale and development of his company.
At the same time, both sides held a detail discussion on the price rise of raw silk and exchanged their views. Mr. Kosho Matsunaga also paid a high attention on the World Silk Website, particularly the world silk trade data. He also hopes ISU to publish more data of the silk industry which can provide a reference for the formulation of development strategies of ISU member units.
(7) Visit of ISU Chinese member units.
To enhance the mutual understanding and communication with ISU member units, ISU secretariat timely choose to visit the Chinese member units from this year.
On March 6-7, 2018, ISU secretariat started the first visit in Tongxiang and Huzhou in Zhejiang, including the member units of Zhejiang Tianzhongshan Silk Co., Ltd., Tongxiang City Heshan Weiye Textile Co., Ltd., Silk Road Holding Group Co., Ltd., Huzhou Ling Silk Institute, and Zhejiang Zhongwei Silk Group Co., Ltd..
On April 25, 2018, ISU secretariat went on the second visit station to member unit---Suzhou Taifa Coloured Thread Weaving Co., Ltd..
On May 3, 2018, ISU secretariat went on the third trip, visiting member unit---Jiaxing Idea Silk Co., Ltd..
On May 14-19, 2018, ISU secretariat went to Guangxi and Sichuan to visit member units of Guangxi Huahong Silk Share Co., Ltd., China Silk Capital Nanchong Silk Culture Institute, Sichuan Nanchong Liuhe Group Co., Ltd., Sichuan Sachem Textile Co., Ltd., Sichuan Ygor Textile Co., Ltd., Nanchong Yinhai Silk Co., Ltd., and Nanchong Shang Hao Mulberry Tea Co., Ltd..
First half year, ISU secretariat visited 14 member units in Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Guangxi and Sichuan of China. ISU secretariat introduced to the member units the work carried out since ISU founded, expressed the appreciation to the member units for their support and assistance, introduced the future work plan. Through the visit, the secretariat can learn about the condition of each member unit, and seek their advice on the ISU secretariat work, further more to strengthen the service awareness and provide better facilities and supports to member units.
(7) Survey project of “Millennials, fashion, sustainability and silk”.
This project aims to interview 2500 millennial middle class women from China, France, German, Italy and USA, to measure their commitment with responsible consumption, level of information about sustainable aspects of silk production and level of association between silk and sustainable fashion. It is launched by ISU Brazil member---Bisa Overseas, supported by ISU, coordinated by Italian Silk Office and INTERSOIE France. Mr. João Berdu, president of Bisa Oversears, developed the survey questionnaire, which was sent out by the professional survey company in USA, then conducted data analysis, summarized conclusions, completed research report, and produced the teaser videos including Chinese, English, Italian and French versions, which is convenient to spread widely in silk industry and fashion design areas in various countries.
At every stage of the project, the union secretariat has solicited opinions and suggestions from some representatives of Chinese member units, Italian Silk Office and INTERSOIE France. After nearly a year of preparation, today, Mr. João Berdu will release and introduce the project research report at the meeting. After the report is released, I hope that the member units of each country can actively assist the promotion of the project results.
(9) Boosting China National Silk Museum with “A World of Looms” & “Khmer Evening”.
Opening on May 30, A World of Looms was organized by China National Silk Museum with the support of many scholars and research institutions. It was the first exhibition in China to present the rich cultural heritage of looms and weaving technologies around the world. The event displayed the various hand looms from Central Asia, West Asia, Southeast Peninsula, Europe, Africa and other places, demonstrating the diverse development and harmony of cultures around the world. At this event, ISU secretariat assisted the museum with the collections of Vietnamese and Cambodian looms.
On July 14, 2018, China National Silk Museum held the activity of “Khmer Evening”. ISU secretariat assisted to invite Mr. PVA Eang Khoing, silk production director of ISU member unit---Artisan Angkor Co., Ltd. and the local weaver to the “Khmer Evening”, having a speech and manufacturing show.
At the same time, ISU secretariat was invited to share the lecture of “Cambodian silk industry from the perspective of International Silk Union”, introducing the status quo and development of the Cambodian silk industry on the perspective of ISU investigation.
(10) Cooperating with China Zhejiang Television Station for documentary filming about silk history and culture.
In May 2018, ISU secretariat contacted the representatives of the local silk enterprises through Italian Silk Office and INTERSOIE France to assist the China Zhejiang Television Station International Channel in filming the silk-related content.
On June 13, 2018, ISU secretariat held a communication meeting with the filming team of China Zhejiang Television Station International Channel to discuss the shooting contact.
In July 2018, ISU secretariat assisted in contacting Artisan Angkor Co., Ltd (Cambodia) and PT. Emas Hijau Siliwangi (Indonesia) to shoot sericulture and silk.
On September 2018, invited by China Zhejiang Television Station, Mr. Fei Jianming, secretary-general of ISU, went to Nigeria, Kenya to learn about the development of the African silk industry, attend a series of industry events, and participate in the TV documentary filming. During the visit, he completed "Analysis on the development space of the silk industry in Africa".
The program is expected to be broadcast in China Zhejiang TV International Channel in December 2018. This documentary filmed the history, culture and status of silk in China, Italy, France, Britain, Indonesia, Singapore, Cambodia, Nigeria, Kenya and other countries, which is conducive to the global promotion of the silk industry.
(11) Investigating Thai silk and deepening communication and cooperation of the industry.
On August 1-2, 2018, ISU secretariat visited Thai silk industry, invited to have the meetings with the representatives of Thai Silk Association and The Queen Sirikit Department of Sericulture, mainly to have communication on the work carried out by ISU, the status quo and international development of Thai silk industry, and express our hope to strengthen mutual understanding and cooperation.
During the trip, ISU secretariat visited Jim Thompson flagship store, which is newly opened by ISU member unit---The Thai Silk Co., Ltd., enjoying the latest silk design products and popular styles, and also attended the exhibition of “13th Royal Peacock Logo Upholding the Petition Thai Silk 2018”, which are including hand-woven silk weaving and dyeing products with traditional Thai characteristics.
2. Construction of ISU Professional Committees
(1)The first meeting of ISU History Culture Professional Committee was held in Lyon.
On December 1, 2017, the first meeting of ISU History Culture Professional Committee was held in Lyon, France. Mr. Li Jilin, chairman of ISU, Mr. Zhao Feng, vice chairman of ISU and curator of China National Silk Museum, and some members of the relevant units at home and abroad attended the meeting.
Mr. Zhao Feng is the director of ISU History Culture Professional Committee. The committee is to practice the purpose of ISU with "communication and cooperation, development with concerted efforts", promoting the mutual understanding and development among the international silk industry in terms of the research and inheritance of history and culture. Up to now, there are 9 experts and scholars from China, Italy, German, Japan in this committee.
(2) A member of History Culture Professional Committee visited Artisan Angkor Co., Ltd. in Cambodia.
In February, 2018, through the contact and coordination of the ISU secretariat and Mr. Zhao Feng, director of ISU History Culture Professional Committee, Prof. Dagmar Schäfer of Max Planck Institute for the History of Science and also the member of ISU History Culture Professional Committee, visited the ISU member unit---Artisan Angkor Co., Ltd. in Cambodia, having an in-depth study on the design and development of traditional Khmer silk.
(3) The first meeting of ISU Education Research Professional Committee was held in Hangzhou.
On October 9, 2018, the first meeting of ISU Education Research Professional Committee was held in Hangzhou, China. Mr. Li Jilin, chairman of ISU, Mr. Chen Wenxing, vice chairman of ISU and president of Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Mr. Fei Jianming, secretary-general of ISU, some member representatives and experts of the silk industry attended the meeting.
Mr. Chen Wenxing is the director of ISU Education Research Professional Committee. The committee is to practice the purpose of ISU with "communication and cooperation, development with concerted efforts", promoting the communication and win-win cooperation among the international silk industry in terms of the silk education training and research development. Up to now, there are 15 experts and scholars from China, Brazil, Poland, Thailand, Australia in this committee.
This afternoon, Technical Innovation Professional Committee will hold the first meeting. There are 16 members from Italy, China, France, Switzerland, Brazil, India, Myanma in this committee. On November 15, Fashion Design Professional Committee will also hold the first meeting in Lyon, France. There are 14 members from France, China, Italy, Cambodia, Vietnam in this committee. I wish these meetings a complete success!
3. Preparation for 2018 ISU Chairman Enlarged Meeting
In order to prepare for the chairman enlarged meeting, the secretariat has held the working meeting for many times, discussed relevant arrangements, the process and the content, coordinated the implementation of various tasks, drafted relevant copy, notice and report, to ensure that the preparations for the meeting are in order and efficient.
During the preparations, the union chairman and the secretariat visited Chinese vice-chairmen and the committee directors, discussed the work plan of each committee and the upcoming events of ISU. The secretariat also kept close contact with Italian Silk Office and INTERSOIE France via email, to implement the relevant preparations for the meeting.
Meeting with Mr. Zhao Feng, vice chairman of ISU, director of ISU History Culture
Professional Committee, curator of China National Silk Museum
Full and comprehensive preparatory work lay a solid foundation for the success of the meeting. Here, I would like to appreciate again to the ISU vice chairman unit---Italian Silk Office, for your strong support in the preparations for this meeting!
4. Preparation for 2018 “Silk in Lyon” French Silk Festival
French silk festival, started from 2005, has been successfully held for 13 sessions. 2018 “Silk in Lyon” French silk festival will be held in Lyon, France on November 15-18.
During the festival in 2017, Mr. Li Jilin, chairman of ISU, and Mr. Xavier LEPINGLE, vice chairman of ISU and president of INTERSOIE France, had a deep communication. Mr. LEPINGLE hopes the festival can develop internationally, and the Chinese silk enterprises can participate in the 2018 French silk festival, to expand their scale year by year, strengthen exchanges with members of various countries, and also receive the strong support from ISU.
To this end, the union secretariat visited some members of China and invited them to participate in the 2018 French silk festival China Hangzhou silk boutique exhibition, which finally confirmed the participation of four companies including Cathaya, Wensli, High Fashion and Jin Fuchun, to show the characteristics and culture of Chinese silk, and present the overall level of Chinese silk.
The union secretariat actively communicates with INTERSOIE France and Chinese exhibitors to provide convenience and support to both sides, also organized the persons in charge of the participating companies to hold preparatory meetings and implement the exhibits and booth layout, and held the phone call meetings with INTERSOIE France to discuss and confirm the exhibition preparation details.
Here, I wish 2018 ”Silk in Lyon” French silk festival and China Hangzhou silk boutique exhibition to be held successfully!
5. Construction of ISU Secretariat
Since the founding members assembly in October, 2015, ISU has set up the secretariat in Hangzhou, China, managing the daily work strictly in accordance with the union constitution and secretariat working regulations, and conducting featured activities around industry hot spots to promote exchanges and cooperation among member units and promote stable development of the industry.
This year, ISU secretariat handled more than 600 emails, actively to maintain communication with members at home and abroad, mainly to complete the procedure of new members accession, publish notices on ISU upcoming events, exchange views with ISU members from various countries, and actively promote cooperation among member units. The union secretariat also timely choose to visit the member units, to strengthen the contact between ISU secretariat and member units, learn about the condition of each member unit, and seek their advice on the secretariat work.
In addition, the secretariat also publishes the staged work report every quarter about the series of work recently carried out by the union on the World Silk Website and We-chat public platform, after seeking the comments of the union vice-chairmen, mainly to improve the transparency and effectiveness of the union work.
This year, ISU official communication platform---World Silk Website totally published 498 articles, the visitors to the website are 14947. We-chat public platform published 475 articles, including 52 original reports. The whole reading amount is 390218, the highest amount of single reading is 5493, subscribers increase 2728 to total 5462.
Since the second members assembly was held last October, a total of 17 enterprises and organizations have applied to join ISU. At present, there are 111 member units from 17 countries and regions including China, Italy, France, Switzerland, Poland, Japan, Brazil, India, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Indonesia, Singapore, USA, Australia, Hong Kong(China), etc. Among them, there are 35 executive director units and 6 vice chairman units. Especially Italian Silk Office, INTERSOIE France, Vietnam Sericulture Association, Cambodia Silk Sector Promotion and Development Commission, Brazilian Silk Association, their influence has spread to hundreds of silk enterprises.
2019 Work Plan of International Silk Union
After this ISU Chairman Enlarged Meeting, The union will enter the fourth working year, now the 2019 work plan is submitted to the meeting for consideration.
1. Continue to carry out various works of ISU committees, to help promote the healthy development of the world silk industry from all aspects.
Until the meeting today, History Culture and Education Research Committees have convened the first meeting and shown the broad working space. This afternoon, Technical Innovation Committee will hold the first meeting. Two days later, Fashion Design Committee will also hold the first meeting. In 2019, the first meeting of Trade Manufacture Professional Committee will be organized as soon as possible. ISU will continue to work hard to carry out the actual work of the five committees. The director of each committee will maintain communication and exchanges with the members, so that the work plans and research projects determined by the first meeting will proceed smoothly, with a view to achieving real results.
2. Continue to develop new ISU members, promote communication and cooperation.
ISU will continue to adhere the purpose of “communication and cooperation, development with concerted efforts”, maintain the communication with member units, expand exchanges in the world's silk production and consumption countries, absorb and develop new member units, especially the silk enterprises of the silk production and consumption countries in which ISU has no member units.
3. Promote the cooperation progress among the union member units.
For the signed strategic cooperation agreement, economic and trade agreement, and cooperation memorandum, the union secretariat will continue to promote the cooperation progress, also explore new resources and build platforms to strive for more cooperation opportunities.
4. Convene the third ISU members assembly and complete the re-election work of ISU.
According to the union constitution, ISU will convene the third ISU members assembly in 2019, and complete the re-election in the meantime. The secretariat will seek the proposal of ISU chairman and vice chairmen, and the opinions of all the member units, to make preparations for the assembly and the re-election, ensure the smooth development of the second union structure and the healthy and stable development of ISU.
5. Continue to improve the service quality of the union secretariat and do a good job in related services.
The union secretariat will continue to maintain communication with member countries, carefully seek the opinions and suggestions of the member units on the work of the secretariat, improve service awareness and quality, effectively implement relevant service work, carry out specific industry activities, and play the union as the platform effect of the international silk industry.
ISU is the platform to promote the exchange and cooperation of the international silk industry. Due to the uneven development of silk industry among countries, there may be a certain gap on silk history and culture research, product development and design, standards development, production, trade, consumption and other aspects. Since the three years of the union establishment, we have committed to the exchange and cooperation of the union members, reducing the gap, increasing the consensus and promoting the development. We have actively explored and did some work. The healthy and stable development of the ISU depends on the strong support of our member units among countries, and all members together we will continue to take our work seriously, and make due contributions to the development of the silk industry.
Finally, I wish this meeting a complete success and the prosperity of the world silk industry! Ladies and gentlemen, I sincerely wish you the good journey, good health, and happiness!
Thank you all!
