China is the earliest country to have produced silk. Legend has it that Lei Zu, wife of Emperor Huangdi, invented seri-culture, silk reeling and weaving. Chinese archaeologists believe the technology of silk weaving has at least a history of 4,000 years. Silk fabries had been the main materials to make clothes for the noble families as well as an important commodity for export since long ago.

There were various kinds of ancient Chinese silk. As early as Han Dynasty of 2,000 years ago, Zhang Qian, a famous diplomat of the time, opened up "Silk Road" leading to West Asia and Europe. It was this road that silk was continuously transported to those countries. Western was very fond of Chinese silk. It is said that during the first century AD, a Roman emperor went to a theater wearing silk, which made a great stir in the audience. Since then, people wished to wear clothes made of Chinese silk. China, therefore, was called "Silk Country".

Silk has made life beautiful and promoted friendly exchanges between China and other countries.