CHINA'S ONLINE AD SECTOR ENJOYS STEADY GROWTH IN 2004.

(From Asia Pulse)

BEIJING, March 29 Asia Pulse - Although China's online game and wireless value-added service providers all reported steady or rapid growth in the past year, their future is far less certain.

Despite the growth potential offered by winning more support from government agencies, online game operators are finding that the negative public reaction to game addiction affecting many young people continues to be an obstacle to the expansion of the business.

And the future of wireless value-added services remains uncertain, as nobody knows whether the crackdown by government departments and telecom operators against those who cheat subscribers and spread illegal content will ease or intensify.

In contrast to the uncertainties and momentous growth accompanying these two businesses, online advertising displayed the least risks and the steadiest growth in 2004.

Plain sailing

Sina Corp, China's biggest online advertising company, reported a 59 per cent year-on-year rise in its online advertising revenues to US$65.4 million …