The gap between cotton output and demand in China will expand to 3.7 million tons this year, which is learned from related sources by a Xinhua reporter on October 13 in Shanghai. But, there will be no unbalanced situation of supply and demand, according to People's Daily on October 14.

China's textile production and exports will still be in rapid growth in 2005, and the demand for cotton will be on increase continuously, despite of the impacts of the limitations imposed by Europe and the United States on Chinese textile products and the appreciation of renminbi, according to a special conference convened by seven state ministries and commissions recently.

In addition, influenced by natural calamities, cotton output in the country still registered a good record. At the same time, cotton supply for textile industries is guaranteed, since there appears no short supply of cotton resources on international markets.

It is expected the national output of cotton will reach 5.7 million tons this year, down 600,000 tons than that of last year. As a result, the gap between production and demand will be about 3.7 million tons, 1.4 million tons more than last year's 2.3 million tons. Besides, it is evident for the downward tendency of China's cotton-growing areas this year. The latest statistics released by the China Cotton Association show that cotton-growing areas in the country dropped by 10 per cent, thus reducing 8.9 per cent of the country's total output.

By People's Daily Online