A new survey shows that Chinese companies spent 25 per cent more on advertising in 2004 than the previous year, and the biggest spenders were cosmetics giants.

Figures from the market research company CTR show the Chinese Mainland's advertising expenditure last year hit more than 23 billion US dollars.

The total advertising spending in 2004 for the Chinese mainland, Taiwan, and Hong Kong also increased by nearly 25 percent over the previous year to over 43 billion.

CTR's Deputy General Manager Tian Tao said the results reflect strong economic development in the three regions.

The Top 5 sectors for advertising spending in Mainland 2004 were cosmetics and toiletries, foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals, the retail and services sector and real estate.

The highest-spending brand in 2004 was Oil of Olay which spent about 566 million US dollars on advertising.

Source:CRIENGLISH.com