Tianjin carried most of China's carpet exports (over 80% in 1912–27), then declined after the 1990s

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Research notes

CORRECTED. The factory, loom and worker counts are 1929 figures (Nankai survey). Tianjin's export share was over 80% in 1912–27 (94.1% in 1916, 97.4% in 1926), higher than the brief's "70–80%". Sources give both lost competitiveness and urban redevelopment for the 1990s decline, not real estate alone. The Chinese line the brief quoted (1990年代后…城市发展使主要工厂迁移) was not found in any source and looks like the brief's own paraphrase, so it is no longer shown as a quotation. 1929: 303 factories and workshops, 2,749 looms, 11,568 workers. The 风船 ("sailing ship") brand; gold medals at Leipzig 1965 and 1986. After the 1990s, urban development displaced the major factories. Citation check (Oct 2026, from search results; pages not opened): partly confirmed. The 303 shops, 2,749 looms and 11,568 workers are 1929 (some say 1930) figures from the Nankai survey, not the 1930s generally. Tianjin's export share is given as over 80% for 1912–27 (94.1% in 1916, 97.4% in 1926), which is higher than '70–80%'. Leipzig gold medals for 风船 in 1965 and 1986 are confirmed (Tianjin Daily), plus Plovdiv 1986. The quote 1990年代后…城市发展使主要工厂迁移 was not found verbatim. The closest wording is that old plants led by 地毯二厂 and 地毯三厂 were 逐步被城市建设置换 (gradually replaced by urban construction). The same passage says that from the 1990s Tianjin carpets lost their advantage in both export conditions and domestic competition. So 'killed by real estate, not competition' overstates: both are cited. Source: “天津地毯”：辉煌百年 始终向前 (Tianjin Carpet: a glorious century, always forward), 天津日报 Tianjin Daily, 2026-03-20. Found at: https://epaper.tianjinwe.com/tjrb/html/2026-03/20/content_143098_3242680.htm Also: https://www.sohu.com/a/231599440_503003 · https://m.sohu.com/a/870630890_121123801/ · https://whly.tj.gov.cn/tjswlzxw/jgbn/whtj/jgzt/202407/t20240716_6676085.html · https://cj.sina.com.cn/articles/view/3314280193/c58be70102001ggys