China has decided not to build any more cigarette, flue-cured
tobacco and filter joint venture plants or launch any new tobacco
joint ventures with foreign investors.
The decision was made on the grounds that the tobacco market is
saturated and has surplus production capacity.
However, cooperation may be launched in other fields. For
instance, the import of high quality tobacco leaf, advanced
equipment, high grade cigarette paper and other materials is
allowed.
Foreign partners are also welcomed to cooperate in research on
how to raise the quality of tobacco.
In recent years, based on the tobacco monopolization system,
China's tobacco industry has made great efforts to carry through
strategic adjustment to the structure of tobacco enterprises. The
number of production firms has been reduced to over 80 from
185.
(CRI.com, China.org.cn November 19, 2004)