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This paper analyses Chinese high tech consumers and their potential as drivers for technological development in China. The consumer market is studied from an urban and rural perspective due to income differences. Chinese consumers are very conscious about price, quality and functionality of high tech products. The Westernised urban middle class under 35 years old is an interesting group for high tech product development as they have similar requirements on high tech products as consumers in the industrialised world. Rural consumers are more similar to consumers in developing countries in their needs and context. Both these markets create a base for product development of the domestic Chinese high tech industry, even for the international market. Chinese policies’ requirement of local content in high tech products has led to a growing component industry in China, which is beneficial to the expansion of the domestic high tech industry. Market competition on the Chinese high tech market also helps preparing the domestic high tech industry to go international.

Total 25 Pages