The 19th China Textile and Apparel Trade Show, an initiative to help Chinese textile and apparel makers and factories explore the U.S. market, opened at the Javits Convention Center in Manhattan, New York, on Monday.

Over 600 Chinese garment, fabric and textile enterprises are attending this year's trade show, Xu Yingxin, vice-president of the China National Textile and Apparel Council, said at the opening of the annual event.

The three-day show has exhibitors from 17 countries and regions.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening up. Over the past 40 years, the Chinese textile industry has established a highly efficient and leading industrial chain, enabling China to become the biggest textile manufacturer, exporter and consumer, Xu said.

"As a highly market-oriented industry, (the) Chinese textile industry has deeply integrated into the global textile and apparel supply chain and value chain. Our cooperation with (our) American counterparts in trade and investment keeps upgrading," he said.

China, for a long time, has been the biggest exporter of textiles and apparel to the United States, which is the largest market for the Chinese textile industry, he said.

Since 2010, the China Textile and Apparel Trade Show is held in parallel with Texworld USA, Apparel Sourcing USA, and the Home Textiles Sourcing Expo in order to better cater to American customers.