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Why did Zhengzhou become the center of Henan’s textile industry?

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Map of eastern Asia highlighting the province of Henan in central China in orange, with its capital Zhengzhou labeled. Surrounding countries and major international boundaries are shown, along with a small inset map locating Henan within all of China. — Henan Henan province, China.

Zhengzhou became the center of Henan’s textile industry primarily because it is situated in the heart of a densely populated, productive cotton-growing district.12

Following the establishment of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, the city—which was then a commercial and administrative hub with virtually no existing industry—was strategically developed into an industrial center to capitalize on this local agricultural resource. This development included the establishment of numerous cotton-textile plants, spinning mills, and textile-machinery works. The city's growth as a major rail junction further supported its industrial expansion by facilitating the transport of raw materials and finished goods.1