Workers get busy at an umbrella production line in Jinjiang. [Photo/China Daily]

Jinjiang county, Quanzhou, in East China's Fujian province launched a Global Umbrella Supply Chain Center on June 18, in a bid to boost local manufacturers by fostering connections with global resources and markets.

In Dongshi town, known for the "umbrella capital of China", nearly 500 manufactures have thrived, creating the nation's largest hub for umbrella products and materials.

With an annual production of around 460 million umbrellas valued at 13 billion yuan ($1.81 billion), the town's products reach over 160 countries and regions worldwide.

Jinjiang showcased some nifty innovations, such as the quantum light shield, three-fold electric umbrella and even a water gun umbrella. Overall, it unveiled really stylish umbrella designs and cutting-edge technology during a four chains integration (industrial chain, innovation chain, capital chain and talent chain) supply and demand event.

At the event, 12 local companies introduced 20 innovative products in a global debut.

Umbrella manufacturing involves intricate materials, components and a raft of production steps. Observing Jinjiang's systematic approach, Liu Jian, chairman of the Umbrella Professional Committee of the China Sundry Articles Industry Association, acknowledged Jinjiang's leadership in innovation and industry collaboration.

Wang Xiangpeng, president of the Jinjiang Umbrella Industry Association, said the Global Umbrella Supply Chain Center would elevate Jinjiang's umbrella industry from a global manufacturing hub to a prominent global supply chain trading center.

The initiative aims to establish a global network for "Jinjiang smart manufacturing", accelerating the development of a new industrial landscape focused on global procurement and sales.