difficulties by improving their understanding of this vital sector.

Objectives

a. To assess the value chain of textiles in China.

b. To identify opportunities through which circularity can be increased

c. To assess the environmental implications of the fashion textile flows in China

Literature Review and Research Question

The fashion textile industry in China has undergone significant transformations in recent decades, emerging as a global leader in textile production and export. This literature review provides a comprehensive understanding of the value chain of textiles in China, identifies opportunities for increasing circulation within the industry, and assesses the environmental implications of fashion textile flows. The review summarised key studies and research findings related to these objectives.

Value Chain of Textiles in China

The value chain of textiles encompasses the entire process of textile production, distribution, and consumption (Alves et al., 2021). Understanding the value chain is crucial for analysing the dynamics and identifying opportunities for improvement within the respective industry. Several studies have explored the value chain of textiles in China and its key components. Li, Wang and Ding (2020) investigated the structure and governance mechanisms of the value chain in China's textile industry and how waste management issues have been addressed. They highlighted the role of government policies in promoting industrial upgrading and modernisation, emphasising the importance of technological advancements and supply chain collaborations. The study provided insights into the key stakeholders and their interactions within the value chain. With the projection that China's textile industry will triple by 2050, the authors call for a more harmonised and coordinated approach toward supply chain management, which will minimise waste generation (Li, Wang and Ding, 2020).

Another research by Rodil-Marzábal, Gómez Pérez and Campos-Romero (2022) focused on the textile manufacturing sector in China and identified challenges and opportunities for upgrading the industry. With the focus on China's textile sector's ties with Mexico and the U.S., the authors highlighted that the Global Value Chain(GVC) concept has emerged from the increasing need for countries to work together to realise quality for textile products locally and across borders. This study thus can be used to emphasise the need for China to embrace quality issues in its supply chain to attract more global players in its textile products. Also, there is a need for a global value chain through collaboration with other international players to ensure that flow activities in the fashion textile sector increase. Lu (2018) also argued that China's role in the global fashion textile industry is slowly changing, and its value chain should be strengthened further to ensure it fits the growing pressure from the U.S. and Japan, among other world's top apparel suppliers.

Increasing Circularity Opportunities

Increasing  circularity within the  fashion textile  industry  is  essential  for  sustainable  resource utilisation and waste reduction. Adopting circular economy principles can maximise the lifespan of products and materials. Covaci (2021) studied the relationship between China and Europe in the apparel industry regarding how they engage in the circular economy. Durocher (2020) also argued that China is already a pioneer of the circular economy concept and that its efforts towards enhancing a seamless flow in the textile sector have been integral. These authors collectively underscored the potential  of circular  economy principles  and  innovative business models to increase circulation within the fashion textile industry in China.

Environmental Implications of Fashion Textile Flows

The  fashion  textile  industry  has  significant  environmental  implications,  including  resource consumption, pollution, and waste generation. Li et al. (2017) assessed China’s fashion textile sector to identify the environmental effects of the activities, even though the focus was more on using the water footprint method. This source has strength because the decoupling method is widely recognised for measuring the balance or relationship between resource consumption and economic development. In another study by Li et al. (2018), the findings reiterated that water pollutants from the dyeing and printing sections of China’s fashion textile sector are immense, and the effects are dire. In the text, Li et al. (2018) mentioned that Shaoxing City in China is at a greater risk because it has concentrated activities in its textile sector, and this calls for the relevant stakeholders to relook into the issue of waste management which comes with the quest to expand the  activities  and  improve  the  value  chain.  Li,  Wang  and  Ding  (2020)  pointed  out  that  if governance issues can be addressed, then issues such as waste management will be easy to handle. There is also a need for a decoupling process, which, according to the OECD (n.d.), refers to separating the relationships between economic growth and environmental stress. These studies collectively emphasised the environmental challenges faced by the fashion textile industry in China and the need for sustainable practices throughout the value chain.

Research Gaps

Given the literature review conducted, there are several gaps that this research aims at addressing. Firstly, there were limited studies that have quantified the Chinese fashion textile industry flows before. The research should close this gap by analysing value chain material inputs, outputs, and waste. There is also a need for an in-depth value chain assessment. Even though some studies have examined China's textile value chain, it is necessary to have further research if the quantification of the flows is to occur. There have been studies on the environmental repercussions of textile manufacturing and consumption in China, but fashion textile flows need a complete examination. The  investigation  should  analyse  resource  consumption,  pollution,  and  waste  to  reveal  the industry's  environmental  impact. Finally, research  should  fill  the  knowledge  gap  on  China's fashion textile industry's sustainable practices.

Research Question

Based on the literature review, the following research questions are proposed:

How can the value chain of textiles in China be assessed to identify opportunities for increasing circularity?

How will the assessment help to understand the environmental implications of fashion textile flows?

Methodology

Data

The research will use data from secondary sources, mainly those obtained from official Chinese Statistics from the National Bureau of Statistics of China. The quantitative research design aims to  identify  and  collect  numerical  and  relevant  statistical  data  that  will  be  computed  using descriptive and inferential statistical analysis. This study quantifies China's fashion textile industry flows. Statistical and material flow analysis will thus comprise the research design. The researcher

will access and assess publications that cover industry drivers, socio-economic repercussions, environmental sustainability, and global trade ramifications in light of China's fashion textile sector. Viewing the articles and journal publications will provide industry context and insights on the research problem under investigation. Therefore, the research will entirely rely on secondary data, which will come from academic journals, industry reports, government publications, and relevant databases that are integral to the issue under investigation. The secondary data will cover the fashion textile industry in China, including historical patterns, policy documents, trade figures, and more. Secondary data will enhance and validate the primary data for a complete analysis.

Data Analysis

Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis will reveal data patterns, correlations, and trends regarding the research problem. Based on sample data, inferential statistical methods will make population conclusions and draw insinuations that will go a long way in informing the researcher about the Chinese fashion textile sector trends. Utilising regression models in the analysis process depends on the research goals and variables. The statistical study will measure fashion textile industry flows, identify key drivers, and assess their effects on growth, socio-economics, and sustainability.

Material Flow Analysis (MFA) will also be applied in the analysis process. For this project, MFA quantifies material flow across a system or industry and will help track material flows in China's fashion textile industry. With both material and economic information, MFA employs input/output approaches (Pincetl, 2012). MFA will  collect  statistics  on  raw  material  inputs,  intermediary products, waste generation, and recycling in the fashion textile sector. Material flow diagrams, quantification, resource utilisation, and waste management efficiency assessments will utilise this

data. The MFA will reveal industry-wide performance in resource usage, pollution, and waste output, therefore presenting overall resource efficiency and circular economy potential.

The statistical analysis will include regression models, hypothesis tests, correlations, and variable relationships. Visualisations will be used to explain their implications on the efforts to quantify China's fashion textile sector. Calculations and material flow diagrams will evaluate resource use and waste management in the industry under study based on the sources that will be assessed. Statistics and material flow analysis results will be analysed and synthesised to reach research goals.

Ethics

This research will mainly use secondary sources. Sources were ethically handled and used in addressing the research problems. Ethical considerations will include: Secondary data sources may reduce availability and quality. It is crucial to choose trustworthy, relevant sources for study. Data credibility and accuracy will be carefully considered to ensure the findings' legitimacy. The researcher will strive to enhance privacy and anonymity. Secondary data sources may contain personal or organisational data. All research data will be anonymised and aggregated for privacy protection.

Also, ethical data use and storage protocols will be observed. The researcher should acquire, store, and use secondary data ethically. Permission and data source terms must be obtained. Data will be utilised  for  the  study  and  adequately  attributed  and  referenced.  In  terms  of  reporting  and interpretation, secondary data have limitations that must be considered when interpreting results. The researcher will explain the data sources and any biases or uncertainties. This ensures correct research portrayal and interpretation.

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