Cherokee Inc. said late Thursday that it has entered into an exclusive international license agreement for its Cherokee apparel brand with RT Mart Stores, a fast growing retailer in China.

RT Mart is a division of Ruentex Industries Ltd., a 45-year-old textile, retail and trading company. It operates more than 125 hypermarket stores, huge food and dry goods stores similar to Wal-Mart Super Centers.

Cherokee, based in Van Nuys, licenses its trendy Cherokee, Norma Kamali and Carole Little brands for sale in Target, Wal-Mart and comparable retailers overseas. Its premium Carole Little line already is sold at Shanghai Bolderway stores.

The multi-year agreement for the company’s flagship line includes men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, footwear and accessories, as well as home textiles.

“By developing distribution in China, we have now achieved another significant goal in our ‘world brand’ strategy and are proud to have licensed Cherokee in over 20 countries and five continents,” Larry Sass, Cherokee executive vice president, said in a statement. “Over the coming months, we plan to build upon our strategy throughout Asia as well as Australia, Europe, Russia and Latin America.”

Cherokee shares were up 16 cents, or less than 1 percent, to $19.21 in midday trading on the Nasdaq.