Most Chinese toy makers now make Christmas presents for overseas customers, according to the State Textile Industry of China.

Today, one out of every six toys in the United States is made in China, statistics show.

Christmas goods for export include models of Santa Claus, Christmas trees, decorations, and hundreds of other toys.

“Santa Claus models are priced at US$5 to US$100. We have made more than 6 million of them for Europe and the United States,” said Xu Zhiping, chief executive officer of the Jinqiao Toy Company in East China’s Fujian Province.

Chinese toy producers have been receiving orders for Christmas presents since this April.

“Roger the Rabbit and many other famous toys in the West are all made in China,” said Ma Yin, from the China Toy Association.

According to Ma, 80 percent of toys made in China are exported, earning more than US$5 billion last year.

Most of the Santa Claus toys that have been made in China have been exported by air to make sure they arrive at their destinations on time, said Xu Zhiping.

The volume of freight on Chinese airlines in November was double that for October. Most of the extra 6,000 tons of cargo was Christmas toys.

(China Daily 12/21/2000)