Xu Wei, head of SweaterPi, shares the Honghe sweater industry's digital transformation practices at a hub economy-themed event. [Photo/Tide News]

Honghe town, a major sweater manufacturing hub in Xiuzhou district of Jiaxing, Zhejiang province, is expanding its global reach through a digital trade model integrating supply chains, logistics, and cross-border services. The model was shared at a hub economy-themed event in Jiaxing on Sept 23.

With a 50-year history, Honghe's sweater industry has an annual production capacity of 400 million pieces, with products now sold to more than 50 countries and regions. The town has developed a mechanism involving the government, State-owned capital, and private businesses to support industrial growth.

Honghe has built a sweater export supply chain collection center, introduced six logistics companies, and launched four international routes covering South Korea, Europe and the United States, Russia, and Central Asia. It has also established overseas exhibition halls and warehouses.

Launched in 2024, SweaterPi is a cross-border service platform for the industry that now serves nearly 200 companies and more than 7,000 buyers, with cumulative sales exceeding $243 million. Digital tools such as AI design and digital human livestreaming are also helping companies improve their product development and market outreach.

Honghe's foreign trade exports rose from 255 million yuan ($37.98 million) in 2022 to 700 million yuan in 2025. The model has also supported the overseas expansion of other industries such as down jackets, leather products, and textiles.