Li Dongsheng (front row L), chairman of TCL International, and Charles Dehelly (front row R), CEO of Thomson, exchange joint venture agreements to create the world's largest TV maker at a signing ceremony in Guangzhou on Tuesday.

This will be the first time a Chinese company has taken a controlling interest in a joint venture with a Fortune 500 company.

TCL-Thomson, the joint venture to be established by the Huizhou-based company and the French firm, will produce 18 million color TV sets each year.

Guangdong Governor Huang Huahua, (second row, first R), witnessed the signing of the agreements.

(Shenzhen Daily November 5, 2003)