The Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in south China will produce 130,000 tons of silkworm cocoons this year, hopefully to rank first in the country, according to information from a local symposium.

"We are trying to develop silkworm-related industries into competent key industries, not only in China but also in the world, " said Zhang Mingpei, head of the agricultural department of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Regional Government at the annual meeting of China Silkworm Academy.

As of this October, the silkworm-breeding area in Guangxi has totaled 905 square kilometers, and the region's production capacity of cocoons has reached 120,000 tons. In 2004 alone, every local rural household earned 3,226 yuan (US$398) from silkworm breeding on average, according to Zhang.

Currently, China has taken more than 70 percent of global shares in cocoon and silk production and trade. The export of silk products helps the country earn nearly US$4 billion of foreign exchange every year.

It is expected that Guangxi's cocoon output will account for some 26 percent of the country's total by 2010.

(Xinhua News Agency November 21, 2005)