A staff member selects raw materials at a swimwear company in Xingcheng City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, July 16, 2025. Xingcheng, a tiny coastal city with a population of less than 500,000, has quietly emerged as a global giant in the swimwear industry. It produces an astonishing 170 million pieces of swimwear every year -- one out of every four swimwear items sold worldwide is made here.

The transformation of this unassuming city from a modest seaside town into a major player in the global fashion market started in the 1980s when it saw a surge in tourists flocking to its beautiful beaches. Inspired by the colorful swimwear those tourists wore, locals set out to make versions of their own at home. What began as family business quickly emerged into a booming industry.

To date, players in Xingcheng's swimwear industry annually generates a combined output value of 15 billion yuan (about 2.09 billion U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)

A staff member checks raw materials at a swimwear company in Xingcheng City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, July 15, 2025. Xingcheng, a tiny coastal city with a population of less than 500,000, has quietly emerged as a global giant in the swimwear industry. It produces an astonishing 170 million pieces of swimwear every year -- one out of every four swimwear items sold worldwide is made here.

The transformation of this unassuming city from a modest seaside town into a major player in the global fashion market started in the 1980s when it saw a surge in tourists flocking to its beautiful beaches. Inspired by the colorful swimwear those tourists wore, locals set out to make versions of their own at home. What began as family business quickly emerged into a booming industry.

To date, players in Xingcheng's swimwear industry annually generates a combined output value of 15 billion yuan (about 2.09 billion U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Wu Qinghao)

Workers work at a swimwear company in Xingcheng City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, July 15, 2025. Xingcheng, a tiny coastal city with a population of less than 500,000, has quietly emerged as a global giant in the swimwear industry. It produces an astonishing 170 million pieces of swimwear every year -- one out of every four swimwear items sold worldwide is made here.

The transformation of this unassuming city from a modest seaside town into a major player in the global fashion market started in the 1980s when it saw a surge in tourists flocking to its beautiful beaches. Inspired by the colorful swimwear those tourists wore, locals set out to make versions of their own at home. What began as family business quickly emerged into a booming industry.

To date, players in Xingcheng's swimwear industry annually generates a combined output value of 15 billion yuan (about 2.09 billion U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Li Gang)

Workers work at a swimwear company in Xingcheng City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, July 16, 2025. Xingcheng, a tiny coastal city with a population of less than 500,000, has quietly emerged as a global giant in the swimwear industry. It produces an astonishing 170 million pieces of swimwear every year -- one out of every four swimwear items sold worldwide is made here.

The transformation of this unassuming city from a modest seaside town into a major player in the global fashion market started in the 1980s when it saw a surge in tourists flocking to its beautiful beaches. Inspired by the colorful swimwear those tourists wore, locals set out to make versions of their own at home. What began as family business quickly emerged into a booming industry.

To date, players in Xingcheng's swimwear industry annually generates a combined output value of 15 billion yuan (about 2.09 billion U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)

A staff member displays swimwear at a swimwear company in Xingcheng City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, July 15, 2025. Xingcheng, a tiny coastal city with a population of less than 500,000, has quietly emerged as a global giant in the swimwear industry. It produces an astonishing 170 million pieces of swimwear every year -- one out of every four swimwear items sold worldwide is made here.

The transformation of this unassuming city from a modest seaside town into a major player in the global fashion market started in the 1980s when it saw a surge in tourists flocking to its beautiful beaches. Inspired by the colorful swimwear those tourists wore, locals set out to make versions of their own at home. What began as family business quickly emerged into a booming industry.

To date, players in Xingcheng's swimwear industry annually generates a combined output value of 15 billion yuan (about 2.09 billion U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)

Workers sell swimwear via an online platform at a swimwear company in Xingcheng City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, July 15, 2025. Xingcheng, a tiny coastal city with a population of less than 500,000, has quietly emerged as a global giant in the swimwear industry. It produces an astonishing 170 million pieces of swimwear every year -- one out of every four swimwear items sold worldwide is made here.

The transformation of this unassuming city from a modest seaside town into a major player in the global fashion market started in the 1980s when it saw a surge in tourists flocking to its beautiful beaches. Inspired by the colorful swimwear those tourists wore, locals set out to make versions of their own at home. What began as family business quickly emerged into a booming industry.

To date, players in Xingcheng's swimwear industry annually generates a combined output value of 15 billion yuan (about 2.09 billion U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)

A staff member arranges delivery of online orders at a swimwear company in Xingcheng City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, July 16, 2025. Xingcheng, a tiny coastal city with a population of less than 500,000, has quietly emerged as a global giant in the swimwear industry. It produces an astonishing 170 million pieces of swimwear every year -- one out of every four swimwear items sold worldwide is made here.

The transformation of this unassuming city from a modest seaside town into a major player in the global fashion market started in the 1980s when it saw a surge in tourists flocking to its beautiful beaches. Inspired by the colorful swimwear those tourists wore, locals set out to make versions of their own at home. What began as family business quickly emerged into a booming industry.

To date, players in Xingcheng's swimwear industry annually generates a combined output value of 15 billion yuan (about 2.09 billion U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)

Workers work at a swimwear company in Xingcheng City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, July 15, 2025. Xingcheng, a tiny coastal city with a population of less than 500,000, has quietly emerged as a global giant in the swimwear industry. It produces an astonishing 170 million pieces of swimwear every year -- one out of every four swimwear items sold worldwide is made here.

The transformation of this unassuming city from a modest seaside town into a major player in the global fashion market started in the 1980s when it saw a surge in tourists flocking to its beautiful beaches. Inspired by the colorful swimwear those tourists wore, locals set out to make versions of their own at home. What began as family business quickly emerged into a booming industry.

To date, players in Xingcheng's swimwear industry annually generates a combined output value of 15 billion yuan (about 2.09 billion U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Wu Qinghao)

This file photo taken in 1990s shows staff members working at a swimwear company in Xingcheng, northeast China's Liaoning Province. Xingcheng, a tiny coastal city with a population of less than 500,000, has quietly emerged as a global giant in the swimwear industry. It produces an astonishing 170 million pieces of swimwear every year -- one out of every four swimwear items sold worldwide is made here.

The transformation of this unassuming city from a modest seaside town into a major player in the global fashion market started in the 1980s when it saw a surge in tourists flocking to its beautiful beaches. Inspired by the colorful swimwear those tourists wore, locals set out to make versions of their own at home. What began as family business quickly emerged into a booming industry.

To date, players in Xingcheng's swimwear industry annually generates a combined output value of 15 billion yuan (about 2.09 billion U.S. dollars). (Xinhua)

A woman visits a swimwear industrial park in Xingcheng City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, July 15, 2025. Xingcheng, a tiny coastal city with a population of less than 500,000, has quietly emerged as a global giant in the swimwear industry. It produces an astonishing 170 million pieces of swimwear every year -- one out of every four swimwear items sold worldwide is made here.

The transformation of this unassuming city from a modest seaside town into a major player in the global fashion market started in the 1980s when it saw a surge in tourists flocking to its beautiful beaches. Inspired by the colorful swimwear those tourists wore, locals set out to make versions of their own at home. What began as family business quickly emerged into a booming industry.

To date, players in Xingcheng's swimwear industry annually generates a combined output value of 15 billion yuan (about 2.09 billion U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Li Gang)

This file photo shows a model presenting a swimwear during the 6th China International Swimwear Exhibition at the Bikini Square exhibition center of Xingcheng City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, Aug. 16, 2017. Xingcheng, a tiny coastal city with a population of less than 500,000, has quietly emerged as a global giant in the swimwear industry. It produces an astonishing 170 million pieces of swimwear every year -- one out of every four swimwear items sold worldwide is made here.

The transformation of this unassuming city from a modest seaside town into a major player in the global fashion market started in the 1980s when it saw a surge in tourists flocking to its beautiful beaches. Inspired by the colorful swimwear those tourists wore, locals set out to make versions of their own at home. What began as family business quickly emerged into a booming industry.

To date, players in Xingcheng's swimwear industry annually generates a combined output value of 15 billion yuan (about 2.09 billion U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

A staff member works at a swimwear company in Xingcheng City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, July 15, 2025. Xingcheng, a tiny coastal city with a population of less than 500,000, has quietly emerged as a global giant in the swimwear industry. It produces an astonishing 170 million pieces of swimwear every year -- one out of every four swimwear items sold worldwide is made here.

The transformation of this unassuming city from a modest seaside town into a major player in the global fashion market started in the 1980s when it saw a surge in tourists flocking to its beautiful beaches. Inspired by the colorful swimwear those tourists wore, locals set out to make versions of their own at home. What began as family business quickly emerged into a booming industry.

To date, players in Xingcheng's swimwear industry annually generates a combined output value of 15 billion yuan (about 2.09 billion U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

This file photo shows people visiting the 4th China International Swimwear Exhibition in Xingcheng City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, Aug. 16, 2015. Xingcheng, a tiny coastal city with a population of less than 500,000, has quietly emerged as a global giant in the swimwear industry. It produces an astonishing 170 million pieces of swimwear every year -- one out of every four swimwear items sold worldwide is made here.

The transformation of this unassuming city from a modest seaside town into a major player in the global fashion market started in the 1980s when it saw a surge in tourists flocking to its beautiful beaches. Inspired by the colorful swimwear those tourists wore, locals set out to make versions of their own at home. What began as family business quickly emerged into a booming industry.

To date, players in Xingcheng's swimwear industry annually generates a combined output value of 15 billion yuan (about 2.09 billion U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

A staff member sells swimwear via livestream at a swimwear company in Xingcheng City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, July 15, 2025. Xingcheng, a tiny coastal city with a population of less than 500,000, has quietly emerged as a global giant in the swimwear industry. It produces an astonishing 170 million pieces of swimwear every year -- one out of every four swimwear items sold worldwide is made here.

The transformation of this unassuming city from a modest seaside town into a major player in the global fashion market started in the 1980s when it saw a surge in tourists flocking to its beautiful beaches. Inspired by the colorful swimwear those tourists wore, locals set out to make versions of their own at home. What began as family business quickly emerged into a booming industry.

To date, players in Xingcheng's swimwear industry annually generates a combined output value of 15 billion yuan (about 2.09 billion U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Li Gang)

People visit a swimwear industrial park in Xingcheng City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, July 15, 2025. Xingcheng, a tiny coastal city with a population of less than 500,000, has quietly emerged as a global giant in the swimwear industry. It produces an astonishing 170 million pieces of swimwear every year -- one out of every four swimwear items sold worldwide is made here.

The transformation of this unassuming city from a modest seaside town into a major player in the global fashion market started in the 1980s when it saw a surge in tourists flocking to its beautiful beaches. Inspired by the colorful swimwear those tourists wore, locals set out to make versions of their own at home. What began as family business quickly emerged into a booming industry.

To date, players in Xingcheng's swimwear industry annually generates a combined output value of 15 billion yuan (about 2.09 billion U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Li Gang)

A staff member sells swimwear via livestream at a swimwear company in Xingcheng City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, July 15, 2025. Xingcheng, a tiny coastal city with a population of less than 500,000, has quietly emerged as a global giant in the swimwear industry. It produces an astonishing 170 million pieces of swimwear every year -- one out of every four swimwear items sold worldwide is made here.

The transformation of this unassuming city from a modest seaside town into a major player in the global fashion market started in the 1980s when it saw a surge in tourists flocking to its beautiful beaches. Inspired by the colorful swimwear those tourists wore, locals set out to make versions of their own at home. What began as family business quickly emerged into a booming industry.

To date, players in Xingcheng's swimwear industry annually generates a combined output value of 15 billion yuan (about 2.09 billion U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Wu Qinghao)