"China's exports this year will be no better than in previous years. In fact, they will be worse, as the European debt problems remain, and continuation of quantitative easing in the US remains a potential threat to China's shipments."

Wei Jianguo, vice-chairman and secretary-general of the China Center for International Economic Exchanges, attributing his expectations of weakening exports to "the remarkable growth in trade cases against China from both developed and emerging markets" and the rising yuan.

"Chinese consumption supports the world's luxury market, especially high-end watches, and that is why international brands are paying more attention to Chinese elements."

Zhou Ting, director of the Fortune Character Research Center, saying that the growing importance of the Chinese market is prompting international luxury brands to incorporate Chinese elements into their designs. Snake motifs are popular this year because it is the Year of the Snake, according to the Chinese zodiac.

(China Daily 02/01/2013 page14)