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China may be the largest producer of TV shows globally with 40 episodes on average being produced each day, but these programs, unlike other "Made in China" products, have yet to gain popularity outside the country.

"None of the Chinese TV dramas has really entered the mainstream Western markets," says Cheng Chunli, deputy director of the department of program agency at China International Television Corporation, the biggest agent for Chinese TV programs.

"Our market is still limited to East Asia and Southeast Asia, and the Chinese TV shows that sell are mostly costume dramas."