One in 10 residents makes hangers here: Amid global headwinds, China's 'hanger capital' Lipu shows resilience

Despite facing headwinds in recent years – from tariff barriers to shifting orders amid U.S.-China trade tensions – Lipu, China's lesser-known "hanger capital," has managed to hold its ground through technological upgrades and market diversification.

In Lipu, a county-level city in the northeastern part of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, more than 300 companies together produce over 4 billion hangers each year.

Aware of potential risks, Lipu's manufacturers had already begun adjusting their course. They had long been preparing – reducing reliance on the U.S. market, expanding into new regions, and investing in automation and innovation.

"Enterprises must always be prepared for risk. For manufacturing companies like ours, it's crucial to keep pushing forward in automation and technological innovation. With our in-house R&D team, we continue to invest in processes, products and patents. So the trade friction has had little impact on us," Mao Huilin, general manager of a manufacturing company in Lipu, said to CGTN.

"After more than 30 years in the industry, companies in Lipu are now at the front of the global hanger supply chain. That's why we're confident and not afraid of challenges," Mo Peng, general manager of a manufacturing company in Lipu, told CGTN.

"Our major clients are actually more worried that we might shut down – that we might stop supplying them – because there's no replacement. In fact, our trade ties haven't been affected. As long as we stay strong, the trade war has only reinforced our relationships," Mo said.

The small city's story isn't just about hangers – it's about preparation, persistence and adaptability.