Abstract

There are currently over 50 LCD TV manufacturers in China. Most of them lack core technology and the vast majority is engaged in assembly. The three main production regions are the Pearl River Delta, the Yangtze River Delta, and the Bohai Sea region.

Of the three regions, the Yangtze River Delta has the most comprehensive industry chain, including several LCM manufacturers and two 5G TFT-LCD panel production lines. Glass substrate processing and color filters will go into mass production in the region in late 2007. But the region's downstream production is primarily PC monitor and notebook PC manufacturers, with relatively few LCD TV manufacturers compared to the Pearl River Delta. To remedy this SVA is currently working with downstream TV producers on LCM projects in the hopes of attracting LCD TV manufacturers to the Yangtze region and increasing downstream manufacturing capabilities.

The Pearl River Delta is home to large LCD TV manufacturers like TCL, Konka, Xoceco, and Skyworth, making it the center of LCD TV production. But the region lacks upstream component suppliers, which puts it in a disadvantageous position. In the past several years Taiwanese LCD manufacturers have been moving into the area though, establishing LCD module plants and promoting growth of the region's industry.

The Bohai region's upstream sector is centered around BOE in Beijing. Corning's back-end glass substrate processing plant has moved to Beijing, but the industry is far from comprehensive. As for downstream manufacturers, the area's geographical proximity and cultural similarities to Korea have attracted Korean manufactures Samsung and LG, which have given the area a big advantage even though the industry chain is still incomplete.