17. Pension plan (Details Narrative) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2010 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012 ZHEJIANG CNY	Dec. 31, 2011 ZHEJIANG CNY	Dec. 31, 2010 ZHEJIANG CNY
Aggregate contributions to pension plans and retirement benefit schemes	$ 364	$ 455	$ 390	2,564	2,331	488

The amount of cash or cash equivalents contributed by the entity to fund its pension plans.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 28

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 25

-Subparagraph (g)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3536-108585

Name:	us-gaap_PensionContributions
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration