A delegation of China's eight-largest LCD TV vendors organized by the China Video Industry Association will arrive in Taiwan on July 12. 2010 to negotiate procurements of TFT-LCD panels and LED backlight units (BLUs) used in LCD TVs. The total trade value is expected to exceed the US$5.3 billion previously projected, according to industry sources.

The eight Chinese companies include Haier, Hisense, Skyworth, TCL, Changhong, Konka, Prima and Panda Electronics.

Although procurement negotiations with Taiwan's TFT-LCD panel heavyweights such as AU Optronics (AUO), Chimei Innolux Corporation (CIC) and Chunghwa Picture Tubes (CPT) are thought to be the main attraction of the visit, the sources pointed out that the TV vendors have requested to visit LED chipmakers Epistar and Everlight Electronics. LED chip packagers Unity Opto and Harvatek have also been invited to the dinner banquet on July 12.

With LED TV sales in China projected to jump to 10-15 million units in 2010 from 100,000 units in 2009, it's critical for Chinese TV vendors and Taiwan's LED players to form tighter relationships, the sources said.

On July 13, the TV vendors will attend a seminar on cross-strait cooperation in development of the flat-panel display industry, and one of the main topics to be discussed is trends in LED backlight technology, the sources said.