Brazilian textile workers held a demonstration Wednesday over the loss of manufacturing jobs to China, in a protest at a trade fair here showcasing mainly Chinese goods.

An AFP reporter witnessed some 200 demonstrators who converged on the Anhembi convention center in the north of Sao Paulo, where 340 mostly Chinese firms were displaying their wares.

Unions and textile associations say they want to call attention to the loss of factory work to China.

Protesters waved banners reading: "In defense of national industry and our jobs." Other signs suggested that sending textile work to China will lead to the demise of Brazilian firms.

Similar protests took place in Spain a decade ago against Chinese shoemakers, with warehouses being set ablaze as Spanish workers decried the arrival of Chinese competition.

Unions in Brazil say 55,000 jobs have been lost in the textile industry this year alone.