The survey, released yesterday by Visa International Service Association, covers people aged between 20 and 44 with a monthly income over 2,500 yuan (US$302) in the four cities, the report said, which did not specify the number of people surveyed.

People targeted by this survey are considered middle-to-high income earners in the cities, the country's richest areas and the mainstay of China's consumption force.

The number of such people could rang between 30 million and 60 million in the rich areas across China, according to Xiong Anping, general manager of VIsa's China division.

Beijingers seem more conservative in their financing according to the survey, with most preferring fixed or long-term deposits, while Shanghainese are more inclined to obtain bank loans.

More than a quarter of the Shanghainese respondents have loans, topping the other three cities.

People in Shenzhen and Guangzhou are more likely to try different kinds of financing, including stocks, insurance, bank savings and loans, according to the survey.

Professional consulting service for financing and investment seems unpopular among middle-to-high income earners, the survey showed.

Only 10 percent of the respondents said they have consulted professional consultants or brokers for help, while another 85 percent would invite advice from their family members or friends.

As for the method of obtaining financing information, 54 percent read newspapers and 30 percent visit websites, with 13 percent having used online banking services and one-fifth having made online purchases.

People surveyed have an optimistic view of their economic situation, the survey indicated, with 55 percent expecting a pay rise in the following year and 25 percent planning home purchases.

The surveyed group are prime consumers for the overseas travel market, as nearly one-third said they plan to travel abroad in the following 12 months. About 35 percent said they would stay in four or five-star hotels during their trip.

(eastday.com June 25, 2003)