Note 20 - Taxation (Detail) - Taxes payable (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Taxes payable	$ 6,683	[1]	$ 5,040	[1]
Turnover Tax And Surcharge Payable [Member]
Taxes payable	2,609		2,212
Enterprise Income Tax Payable [Member]
Taxes payable	4,074		2,770
Individual Income Tax Payable [Member]
Taxes payable			$ 58

[1] All of the VIEs' assets can be used to settle obligations of their primary beneficiary. Liabilities recognized as a result of consolidating these VIEs do not represent additional claims on the Company's general assets (Note 2).