The annual output value of China's silk industry is to reach 250 billion yuan (US$31.25 billion) in 2010, up 66.7 percent from 2005, according to a plan of the Ministry of Commerce.

The ministry issued targets for the development of the industry from 2006 to 2010, saying silk pod output will rise to 850,000 to 900,000 tons and silk output will amount to 170,000 to 190,000 tons by the end of 2010.

China is expected to gain up to US$5.5 billion from silk exports in 2010.

The ministry urged producers to sharpen their competitive edges in technology innovation and exploitation of high-end products.

China is the world's largest silk producer. In 2005, it accounted for 74 percent of global raw silk production and 90 percent of the world export market, statistics from the ministry showed.

From 2000 to 2005, output grew at an annual rate of 14.2 percent on average. China produced 680,000 tons of silk pod and 130,000 tons of silk in 2005, with an industrial output value of 150 billion yuan (US$19.2 billion).

(Xinhua News Agency January 20, 2007)