Note 12 - Investment in and advance to equity investment affiliates (Detail) - The movement of the investment in and advance to equity investment affiliates (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Balance as of December 31, 2011	$ 1,396,000
Share of losses in equity investment affiliates	(449,000)	(219,000)
Exchange translation adjustment	12,000
Balance as of December 31, 2012	959,000	1,396,000
Shenzhen Mingshan [Member]
Balance as of December 31, 2011	595,000
Share of losses in equity investment affiliates	(109,000)	(249,000)
Exchange translation adjustment	6,000
Balance as of December 31, 2012	492,000	595,000
Zhao Shang Ke Hubei [Member]
Balance as of December 31, 2011	801,000
Share of losses in equity investment affiliates	(340,000)
Exchange translation adjustment	6,000
Balance as of December 31, 2012	$ 467,000