MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. -- As North America and Europe continue to experience a prolonged slump in the market for optical communications equipment and components, China has emerged as one of the few bright spots in an otherwise dismal market environment. In 2001, while worldwide optical equipment and component revenues declined by 34%, the Chinese market grew by 70% to $1.9 billion, according to a new report from Strategies Unlimited, a Silicon Valley-based market research firm. The telecom infrastructure projects in China's Tenth Five-Year Plan (2001-2005) will bring about additional robust growth, with China generating an increasing share of the world's fiber optic equipment and component revenues. Strategies Unlimited's new report Chinese Optical Communications Market Review and Forecast -- 2002 (Equipment and Components) characterizes the dynamic Chinese optical communications market and the opportunities available for foreign as well as domestic suppliers. Based on extensive in-country surveys of Chinese carriers, domestic and foreign suppliers and government institutions, the report provides market data and forecasts for three categories of optical communications equipment and 15 categories of components. It also profiles the seven major Chinese telecom services providers as well as 20 equipment suppliers and 32 component suppliers that serve the Chinese market. China represents one of the world's most dynamic markets for communications equipment. At the end of 2001, China had a total of 169 million wireline telephone subscribers (the largest in the world), 132 million mobile telephone subscribers, and nearly 100 million cable television subscribers. The government's aim to double these figures by 2005 will require a vast amount of new infrastructure. China's recent entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO) will further open its markets to outside suppliers and create a more competitive environment. Strategies Unlimited