In her speech, Zhang Yan, Secretary General of the China Leather Association, affirmed the development of the leather industry in Jiangsu and the work of the Jiangsu Leather Association. She pointed out that China’s leather industry is currently at a critical stage of transformation and upgrading, striving for high-quality development. Over the past year, despite a complex and challenging domestic and international environment, the industry has actively responded to challenges and worked hard to advance, maintaining overall stable operations. However, the industry still faces challenges such as fluctuations in raw material prices, increasing environmental pressures, and uncertainties in the international trade environment, requiring united efforts to address them.

Secretary General Zhang emphasized that Jiangsu, as a key base of China’s leather industry, has a strong foundation and distinctive characteristics, and has made significant contributions to the development of the national leather industry over the years. In light of new circumstances, Jiangsu’s leather industry should continue to leverage its advantages and strive to take the lead on the path of high-quality development. She expressed hope that the Jiangsu leather industry would continue to uphold the fine tradition of “pragmatic innovation,” seize opportunities, take on responsibilities, and make even more solid progress on the road to high-quality development.

The conference was conducted in three stages. The first stage focused on the “Association’s 2025 Annual Work Summary”; the second stage covered the “20th Anniversary Celebration of the Association’s Resumption of Work and Annual Honor Awards”; and the third stage featured the “Artificial Intelligence + 3D Printing” Footwear Intelligent Manufacturing Summit Forum.

The first agenda item was the Association’s annual work summary and work plan.

During the first stage, participants heard the “Association’s 2025 Annual Work Report” presented by Secretary General Sun Jiaju on behalf of the Secretariat; the “Proposed Work Plan for 2026” delivered by Deputy Secretary General Wang Wei; and the “2024 Membership Fee Revenue and Expenditure, Audit, and Annual Review Report” presented by Deputy Secretary General Dai Guomei.

Jiang Jianyun, General Manager of Jiangsu Tillyshuang Footwear Co., Ltd.; Liu Bingxing, General Manager of Danyang Kaixin Apple Footwear Co., Ltd.; Zhao Qibing, General Manager of Danyang Qianrun Footwear Co., Ltd.; Chen Farong, Chairman of Danyang 39 Rose Footwear Co., Ltd.; Xu Zhongyi, General Manager of Danyang Galilee Leather Shop; Chen Yunliang, Chairman of Zhenjiang Jinshun Footwear Co., Ltd.; and Qiang Pinglong, Party Branch Secretary of the Yangzhou Hanjiang District Footwear Chamber of Commerce, were added as Executive Directors of the 7th Council of the Jiangsu Leather Association.

Mi Gui, General Manager of Yangzhou Xingqi Technology Co., Ltd., was added as a Council Member of the 7th Council of the Jiangsu Leather Association.

The second agenda item of the conference was the 20th Anniversary Celebration of the Association’s Resumption of Work and the Annual Honor Awards.

The attendees watched a carefully produced video by the Secretariat titled “Highlights of the 20-Year Journey Since the Association’s Resumption of Work” and jointly witnessed the unveiling ceremony of the “Functional Party Branch of the Jiangsu Leather Association.”

Jiang Guohua, Supervisor of the Association and Party Branch Secretary of the Danyang Leather and Footwear Chamber of Commerce, read aloud Document No. 77 [2025] issued by the Jiangsu Provincial Committee of the Comprehensive Party of Social Organizations, titled “Approval for the Establishment of the Temporary Party Branch of the Jiangsu Leather Association.”

Meng Yihong, Party Secretary of Guangling College, Yangzhou University, and Qiu Xiangdong, Party Secretary of Jiangsu Xinsenda Footwear Co., Ltd., jointly unveiled the plaque for the “Functional Party Branch of the Jiangsu Leather Association.”

The third agenda item of the conference was the “Artificial Intelligence + 3D Printing” Footwear Intelligent Manufacturing Summit Forum.

The forum began with a presentation by Mi Jie, host of the Yangzhou production base of “Boli Xingqishang” 3D-printed shoes, sharing insights on the development trends and cutting-edge technologies of 3D-printed footwear.

Chairman Chen Wenxiang pointed out that holding the conference in the historic and cultural city of Yangzhou was highly significant. Through reviewing work reports, voting on proposals, honoring outstanding contributors, and hosting the “Artificial Intelligence + 3D Printing” Footwear Intelligent Manufacturing Summit Forum, the conference provided an in-depth analysis of the current state of the industry, fostered consensus on development, and clarified the path forward.

The meeting established four core agreements: maintaining strategic focus, emphasizing innovation-driven growth, strengthening collaborative win-win approaches, and consolidating the foundation of enterprises. It also outlined four key areas for future work: first, enhancing service efficiency and accurately addressing enterprises’ needs in policy, technology, and market aspects; second, deepening industry research to grasp development trends and provide references for government decision-making and industry advancement; third, regulating industry order by promoting honest operations and standard-setting to safeguard the good reputation of “Jiangsu Leather”; and fourth, expanding communication platforms to promote the deep integration of production, education, research, and application, supporting enterprises in exploring new development opportunities.

Chairman Chen stated that the conference would serve as a new starting point, turning consensus into action and working together to propel Jiangsu’s leather industry toward a higher-quality and more sustainable stage of development.

The conference received strong support from Guangling College, Yangzhou University; Yangzhou Hanjiang Chenggong Footwear Co., Ltd.; and Zhaofeng (Fujian) New Materials Co., Ltd.

(Text by Sun Jiaju, Photos by Zhang Kai)