On a sunny afternoon at No. 2 Wukang Road in Shanghai, CGTN's Tian Wei sat down with Marjorie Yang in her family's historic courtyard. From silk looms to cotton fields, the Esquel Group chair embodies a legacy of tradition driving transformation.
As the US and the Chinese mainland grappled over tariffs, Esquel faced a storm when it was blacklisted for sourcing cotton from the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Decades-old clients vanished overnight, and Yang asked, "What else can we do?"
Her philosophy cuts straight to the point: "When shot by a poisoned arrow, you go and get help." In practice, that meant realigning Esquel's playbook—diversifying into emerging markets, partnering with tech startups in Singapore, and piloting digital textile labs in India.
Within months, orders from Europe and Latin America began to rebound, showcasing the power of market diversification. Esquel also accelerated its sustainability push, spinning out eco-friendly lines that resonated with conscious consumers worldwide.
Yang's journey offers a masterclass for young global citizens and business enthusiasts: embrace change, turn challenges into opportunities, and lean on partnerships to thrive. In a world of shifting policies and trade tensions, Esquel's story proves that resilience and inclusive growth can weave a brighter future for everyone.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
