Beijing, Oct 14: The booming southern Chinese city of Shenzen has captured 80 per cent of the world market for artificial Christmas trees, including prestigious orders from the White House. Shenzen, China's first special economic zone neighbouring Hong Kong, now produces 80 per cent of the world's artificial Christmas trees, and 70 per cent of the Christmas decorative items sold in the US, justifying the nickname `artificial Christmas tree capital of the world.'

Local producers have even received orders from the White House, even though the festival is three months away, Xinhua news agency reported.
Baoji arts and Crafts Works is the world's largest artificial Christmas tree producer, with annual exports of about USD 64 million.
Artificial trees were extremely popular this year in France, because the severe drought killed about one million Christmas seedlings, and environmentalists were stepping up opposition to the felling of trees for Christmas.
The world's largest retailer, Wal-Mart, purchased most of its Christmas trees sold worldwide from Shenzhen, the report said. Bureau Report