Japan has dropped behind China as Rolls-Royce's largest Asian market, said Chairman and Chief Executive Ian Robertson in Hong Kong Thursday.

Rolls-Royce plans to further explore the rapidly growing Chinese market by adding three more dealers in Hangzhou, Shenzhen and Chengdu next year bringing the number in China up to seven, said Ian Robertson.

He said the company had seen over 50 percent of growth in sales in China. This made it the fastest growing market this year in line with the country's rapidly developing economy.

Rolls-Royce expects to launch a new model of Phantoms in over 40 countries next year and again China is expected to be the third largest market, following North America and Britain.

(Xinhua News Agency December 15, 2006)