Market watchers expect China will require six to eight 8G or above LCD panel production lines to fulfill its demand in the future. China's LCD TV panel demand in 2009 is estimated at around 27 million units, and is forecast to rise to 38 million units in 2010 and 45 million units in 2012, market sources added.

It is estimated that 7-8 plants with 7.5G or 8.5G production lines are being planned in China, with local government contributing about 30-40% of the total investment, the sources said, adding that panel makers or TV vendors usually account for only about 10-20% of the investment.

The plants include BOE Technology's 6G and 8G plants, SVA Group's 8G plant, InfoVision Optoelectronics' (IVO's) 7.5G plant, Irico Group Electronics's 6G plant, TCL Group's 8.5G plant and LG Display's 7.5G plant, the sources noted.

TCL has signed an agreement with Century Science & Technology Investment Corporation to jointly set up an 8.5G LCD panel production plant in Shenzhen, China. LG Display is reportedly in talks with the Guangzhou government to set up a 7.5G or 8G LCD production plant at a high-tech industrial park in the city in southern China, while Samsung Electronics plans to build a 7.5G plant in Suzhou, China.