The Chinese textile and apparel industry is gradually recovering from the impact of COVID-19, with the opening of the first industry expo in Shenzhen since the coronavirus outbreak.

The first Greater Bay Area International Textile and Apparel Expo kicked off in the southern metropolis on Wednesday. More than 2,000 exhibitors from across the world are taking part in the three-day event.

The expo, with an exhibition area of 80,000 square meters, serves as a platform for industry players to showcase their latest products and seek business opportunities.

China's textile and apparel industry went through a tough time in the first half of the year due to the coronavirus pandemic, which has led to shrinking overseas demand and sluggish consumption. Many players are exploring new ways to survive the economic storm, for example, by shifting focus from export to domestic sales.

Before COVID-19, export accounted for 60 percent of Ningfang Group's business while domestic sales accounted for 40 percent, said Zhao Yuntao, a representative from the garment making enterprise in North China's Hebei province. Now, the company plans to increase its domestic business to 60 percent or more, he said.

He believes the expo will help enhance the company's branding and promote cooperation with other enterprises in the industry.

Zhu Bo, from a fabric enterprise in Shanghai, said COVID-19 has caused greater impact on his business than he originally expected and the most important task for the company this year is to survive.

"In the past several months, many expos have been canceled or postponed. But now, the industry gradually is recovering and we are seeing more and more events. We believe the expo will help us get to know the latest trends in the industry and bring us new business opportunities," Zhu said.