More than 500 companies, Chinese and foreign, attended the Ninth Shanghai international advertising and print fair, which not only showcased the latest developments of these two industries, but also exposed attractions of the China market to foreign companies, since advertising and print sectors always play important roles in a company's marketing strategy.

"We brought the newest type of painting equipment in a bid to enhance our influence, and to help more companies make successes," said Norman K. Yeh, Asia Pacific CEO (Chief Executive Officer) of Vutek, a US-based advertising company.

If they want to do business in China, it won't do without advertising and print, he said.

"My company has established the Asia Pacific branch in Pudong New District in China's largest commercial centre Shanghai. So far, sales volume in China has amounted to 15 percent of the company's world total, which is far beyond our imagination," he added.

The businessman also spoke highly of China's excellent performance in the Asia financial crisis in 1997, which deeply impressed foreign investors.

Although nowadays some areas of the world are suffering economic depressions, China still maintains social, political and economic stability, he said.

"With the great opportunity of Beijing hosting 2008 Olympic Games, lots of foreign companies will invest in China. I believe that my company will have a very bright future in China," he said.

Statistics show that China owns about 150,000 printing enterprises with over 3 million employees. But the per capita consumption on publication in China is only US$35 every year, compared with US$300 in Germany.

But foreign investors are confident about the potential of the broad Chinese market at the advent of China's entry to the World Trade Organization (WTO).

(China Daily 08/08/2001)