Local authorities in Neikeng town of Jinjiang, Fujian province, promote the sale of slippers through e-commerce platforms. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

One in every eight people worldwide may be wearing slippers made in Neikeng town of Jinjiang, East China's Fujian province, as the town produces over 1 billion pairs of slippers annually, local authorities said.

The town's slippers industry emerged in the early days of China's reform and opening-up policies over 40 years ago. Starting from small family workshops, it has evolved into a world-leading industrial cluster. Today, it boasts a comprehensive ecosystem that covers research and development, production, supporting industries, and trade.

Neikeng is home to more than 620 slippers manufacturers, including 81 above-scale enterprises and 28 companies with annual output values exceeding 100 million yuan ($14.2 million). The total annual output value of the region's slippers industry chain surpasses 3 billion yuan, according to local authorities.

Enterprises in Neikeng participate in the Canton Fair in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, to promote their slippers for international sales. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

In recent years, the town has accelerated the upgrading of materials. Innovations like slippers made from coffee grounds and recycled edge scraps have become hallmark products that reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainability, local authorities said.

Zeng Haibo, from the Jinjiang Slippers Industry Association, told Xinhua News Agency that every day, over 3 million pairs of slippers are shipped from the town to destinations around the world, including major retail markets in Africa and Europe.

Local authorities are building an international slippers e-commerce platform that plans to bring in over 500 enterprises from across the country. The facility is expected to be completed next year.