China saw a surge in the spending for advertising in the first half to a record 244.9 billion yuan (US$34.99 billion), according to the U.S.-based media research firm, Nielsen.

Advertising spending rose by 17 percent over the same period last year, with television netting 83 percent, or 204 billion yuan, of the total spending.

Advertising in the print media was up 14 percent in comparison with the first half of last year.

Pharmaceuticals, medicine and healthcare and women's skincare products were the top product categories in the amounts spent on advertising.

(Xinhua News Agency August 26, 2008)