Electronic appliance experts predict that traditional Cathode-ray tube TVs or CRT TVs will be off the market in Chinese cities within five years as a result of price cuts and the growing popularity of plasma and flat-panel LCD TVs.

Heads of giant TV companies from home and abroad discussed the issue at a forum on China Flat-Panel TV Development.

The entrepreneurs pointed out during the forum that global TV companies have released more than 870 new products and technologies in the flat-panel TV field, and less than 10 CRT TVs in the past month.

TV producers like Panasonic and Toshiba say they will stop the production of CRT TVs this month in Japan, while Sharp has decided to halt production of CRT TVs in the global market next year.　

(CRI September 9, 2004)