Intangible assets, net (Details 1) - ZHEJIANG TIANLAN ¥ in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020 CNY (¥)	Dec. 31, 2019 CNY (¥)	Dec. 31, 2018 CNY (¥)	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019 CNY (¥)
Amortization expense	¥ 142	¥ 152	¥ 152
Year 1	142			$ 152
Year 2	142			152
Year 3	142			152
Year 4	142			152
Year 5	142			152
Thereafter	1,410			$ 167
Total	¥ 2,120				¥ 927

The aggregate expense charged against earnings to allocate the cost of intangible assets (nonphysical assets not used in production) in a systematic and rational manner to the periods expected to benefit from such assets. As a noncash expense, this element is added back to net income when calculating cash provided by or used in operations using the indirect method.

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Amount of amortization for asset, excluding financial asset and goodwill, lacking physical substance with finite life expected to be recognized after fifth fiscal year following current fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported from current statement of financial position date (rolling approach).

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Amount of amortization for assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with finite life expected to be recognized in next fiscal year following current fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported from current statement of financial position date (rolling approach).

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Amount of amortization for assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with finite life expected to be recognized in fifth fiscal year following current fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported from current statement of financial position date (rolling approach).

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Amount of amortization for assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with finite life expected to be recognized in fourth fiscal year following current fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported from current statement of financial position date (rolling approach).

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Amount of amortization for assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with finite life expected to be recognized in third fiscal year following current fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported from current statement of financial position date (rolling approach).

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Amount of amortization for assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with finite life expected to be recognized in second fiscal year following current fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported from current statement of financial position date (rolling approach).

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Amount after amortization of assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life.

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