(Caption: In the e-commerce livestreaming room of Yitong Glove Factory, a host promotes products to viewers across the country. Photo by Fu Xindi)
A pair of small gloves connects the historical trajectory of industrial upgrading; five years of endeavor have paved a smooth path toward common prosperity and rural revitalization. In Weibo Town, the evolution of the glove industry serves as a vivid demonstration of Xinji City’s implementation of new development concepts and its promotion of rural revitalization. From scattered small workshops to an industrial cluster, and from crude processing to independent design and R&D, Weibo Town is following the city’s guidance for upgrading traditional industries, stitching together a narrative of “small products, big industry, and shared wealth.”
Inside the Menglianxue (Dreaming Snow) Glove Factory, workers are busy at their posts in an orderly manner—cutting, sewing, ironing, and packaging. Every step is precise and efficient as finished gloves roll off the production line.
Twenty years ago, this was merely a small workshop with a few sewing machines and a handful of workers. Today, Menglianxue has grown into a local enterprise with over a hundred employees. The head of the factory, Li Baoshi, has transformed from a young entrepreneur into an industry leader guiding his fellow villagers toward prosperity. These small gloves carry his original entrepreneurial spirit and hold the dreams of the surrounding community for a better life. “Every year, we launch more than 100 types of products. While we mainly target the domestic market, some of our products are also exported. This industry has mobilized the surplus labor force in our village and the surrounding areas,” said Li Baoshi.
Today, from technical experts to skilled workers, villagers of various skill sets can find a stage to realize their value at Menglianxue. Tian Ci, an employee at the factory, told reporters: “It’s great to work right at my doorstep. It provides a stable income and allows me to take care of my family. The town occasionally organizes skill training, which makes the work easier and more enjoyable. My quality of life has improved in every aspect.”
Glove enterprises in Weibo Town are not only deepening their manufacturing expertise but also actively embracing digital transformation to broaden sales channels. In the e-commerce livestreaming room of Yitong Glove Factory, a host promotes products through the camera to a national audience, achieving impressive sales volumes. “We have a complete production line from manufacturing to sales. We used to rely on wholesaling and online stores to build a stable customer base. In September 2025, we expanded our sales channels into livestreaming, and now we ship an average of 2,000 orders per day,” said Li Tuo, head of the Yitong Glove Factory.
Currently, Weibo Town has established a comprehensive glove industry chain system integrating raw material supply, R&D and design, manufacturing, e-commerce sales, and warehouse logistics. According to statistics, the town now hosts 284 business entities related to gloves and children’s hats, producing 200 million pairs of gloves annually. This accounts for approximately 40% of the market share in Xinji City, radiating across more than 30 surrounding villages and driving employment for over 20,000 people. It is truly the “Home of Chinese Gloves and Children’s Hats.”
Han Zan, Secretary-General of the Xinji Glove and Children’s Hat Chamber of Commerce, stated that the glove industry is both a wealth-generating industry for Weibo Town and a core engine for rural revitalization. Over the past five years, Weibo Town has consistently adhered to the development philosophy of “township leadership, enterprise prosperity, and worker income growth.” By establishing the “Home of Chinese Gloves and Children’s Hats” base, the town has encouraged enterprises to develop collectively; by organizing e-commerce and skills training, it has injected a steady stream of talent into these businesses.
Standing at the new starting point of the “15th Five-Year Plan,” the town will continue to cultivate the glove industry, constantly activate innovation, and push the industrial chain toward high-end, intelligent, and green development. Efforts will be made to fully promote the “Home of Chinese Gloves and Children’s Hats” brand, ensuring these small gloves weave a firmer foundation for the prosperity of the people.