circuit boards

Combined output value of printed circuit boards from mainland China and Taiwan climbed 22.52 percent in 2004 to US$14.8 billion from US$12.08 billion in 2003. Mainland China accounted for US$7.2 billion and Taiwan, US$7.6 billion. A total of 219.97 million square meters of printed circuit boards were produced in mainland China and Taiwan in 2004. China has over 700 printed circuit boards makers, mostly in Dongguan, Shenzhen, Kunshan and Suzhou, where many electronics makers have set up production bases. About 30 percent of the makers are foreign-owned or foreign-invested. At present, there are some 200 printed circuit boards makers in Taiwan, located mostly in Taoyuan. Only about 80 companies have the capability to offer full process printed circuit boards production. Over 70 percent of Taiwan printed circuit boards makers have shifted mass production to mainland China. In 2004, its printed circuit boards output increased by 32.34 percent from 2003, manufacturing at least 84.7 million square meters of printed circuit boards. The overall output of printed circuit boards in mainland China is expected to reach 110 million square meters in 2005.