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Chinese 'horn' in on huge success at World Cup games
Updated: 2010-06-21 10:44
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The country's manufacturers have enjoyed resounding success in selling vuvuzela, the plastic horns sounding like bees swarming that have been the buzz among World Cup spectators.
Up to 90 percent of the vuvuzela in South Africa were made in China, industry experts have said.
Jiying Plastic Products Factory's general manager Wu Yijun said the company's factory in Zhejiang province had sold more than 1 million horns since April.
Nearly all of the vuvuzela blown by World Cup fans come from five factories in Guangdong province and Zhejiang, he added.
Wu's factory produces different models of the horns, ranging from 7.3 cm to 67 cm in length. They are exported at prices ranging from 0.6 yuan to 2.5 yuan (9 to 37 cents). However, they are sold for between 18 yuan and 53 yuan in South Africa.
"Most of the profit goes to the dealers and importers. Our profit margin is less than 5 percent," Wu said.
FIFA, the soccer association in charge of the World Cup, faced pressure to ban the horns by those who believe their buzzing sound is annoying. But FIFA resisted, saying the vuvuzela is "the sound of Africa".
And the plastic trumpets are also growing in popularity in other countries. One vuvuzela is reportedly sold in Britain every two seconds for two euros apiece.
Amazon.com has reported a 1,000-percent sales increase of its horns, which sell for $9.99.
Ebay.com had more than 400 bids for vuvuzelas, with one already reaching $17.64, the Hindustan Times reported.
On Amazon's Chinese counterpart, taobao.com, more than 100 stores have also started selling the trumpets, with prices ranging from 6 to 39.5 yuan.
"I sell dozens of vuvuzela every day, and my customers come from all parts of the country," a store owner in Zhejiang's Hangzhou city said
"I sold 440 of the 14-yuan models last week."
Fans have said vuvuzela enrich their World Cup experiences by creating a sense of participation.
"I can't go to South Africa, but blowing vuvuzela while watching the games makes me feel as if I'm among the fans in the stadiums," said Cheng Qing, a 25-year-old Shanghai student.
But the vuvuzela is not the only popular type of made-in-China World Cup paraphernalia. The country's manufacturers also make hats, wigs, national flags and glow sticks used by fans, in addition to the Jabulani, Adidas' official match ball for the competition.
It is reported that 99 percent of Jabulani orders go to Jiangxi Maisibo Sports Equipment. The company has produced more than 12 million Jabulani for tournament and commercial use. The balls sell for 1,080 yuan at Adidas outlets in China.
Questions:
1. How many Vuvuzelas were sold in Zhejiang province?
2. What was the Amazon.com sales increase percentage for the horns?
3. What percentage of Vuvuzelas in South Africa were made by China?
Answers:
1. More than 1 million.
2. 1000%.
3. 90%.
（中国日报网英语点津 Helen 编辑）
Todd Balazovic is a reporter for the Metro Section of China Daily. Born in Mineapolis Minnesota in the US, he graduated from Central Michigan University and has worked for the China daily for one year.