The aggregate costs incurred (1) in a planned search or critical investigation aimed at discovery of new knowledge with the hope that such knowledge will be useful in developing a new product or service, a new process or technique, or in bringing about a significant improvement to an existing product or process; or (2) to translate research findings or other knowledge into a plan or design for a new product or process or for a significant improvement to an existing product or process whether intended for sale or the entity's use, during the reporting period charged to research and development projects, including the costs of developing computer software up to the point in time of achieving technological feasibility, and costs allocated in accounting for a business combination to in-process projects deemed to have no alternative future use.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 730
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6420194&loc=d3e21568-108373

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 985
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6501960&loc=d3e128462-111756

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

2. Summary of significant accounting policies (Details Narrative 1) ¥ in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014 CNY (¥)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 CNY (¥)	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012 CNY (¥)	Dec. 31, 2012 USD ($)
Research and Development Costs \| $		$ 631		$ 427		$ 930
Advertising and promotional expenses \| $		$ 44		$ 12		$ 21
ZHEJIANG TIANLAN
Research and Development Costs	¥ 21,796		¥ 15,018		¥ 14,890
Advertising and promotional expenses	11		25		¥ 26
ZHEJIANG JIAHUAN
Research and Development Costs	¥ 4,981		¥ 3,893