Imports of digital cameras through Beijing Port shot up to 34,000 units during the first five months of this year, 66 times the figure a year earlier, customs figures showed.
The value of the imported cameras totaled US$8.08 million, up 33 times.
The imports exceeded last year's total in both the number of units and value, respective increases of about 220 percent and 280 percent year-on-year.
Analysis by Beijing Customs indicates that 90 percent of the imported cameras came from Japan, most of them medium- and low-end products priced at about US$200.
Private firms were the biggest importers, accounting for about half of the total imports, followed by duty-free shops.
About 185,000 digital cameras were sold on the Chinese market in 2001, and the figure jumped to 566,000 units in 2002, making it the fastest-growing market in Asia, according to the analysis.
Domestic market demand for such products this year is estimated to be double that of last year, exceeding the domestic production capacity, and imports of the camera will continue to grow rapidly in the coming years.
(Xinhua News Agency June 21, 2003)
