Oral History

This section contains interviews with four figures in the local garment industry which go some way to explaining the industry’s development from different angles. S. K. Chan, Chairman of Yangtzekiang Garment Ltd. (Yangtzekiang Garment) and an industry veteran, reviewed the development of the industry across various phases of its history. He also gave us an account of the major companies, products and main events of each timeframe. W. K. Chan, Managing Director of Yangtzekiang Garment and S. K. Chan’s nephew, recalled his personal experience of participating in international negotiations on textile quotas, and also analysed recent trends in the industry. Au Kwan Cheung, owner of Yick Sun Knitting Company (Yick Sun), is proprietor of a small knitting factory. Taking his plant’s location in Sham Sui Po as a perspective, he talked about garment factories’ modes of operation in the district. To Sui Wan, an experienced garment worker, talked about plant operation, providing useful information on section production system and the co-ordinating role of foremen. She also compared the characteristics of garment factories that produced items for local sales with those whose goods were bound for export.