Note 10 - Investment in and advance to equity investment affiliates (Detail) - The movement of the investment in and advance to equity investment affiliates (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Balance as of December 31, 2012 (audited)	$ 959,000
Share of losses in equity investment affiliates	(71,000)	(193,000)
Exchange translation adjustment	4,000
Balance as of March 31, 2013 (unaudited)	892,000
Shenzhen Mingshan [Member]
Balance as of December 31, 2012 (audited)	492,000
Share of losses in equity investment affiliates	(26,000)	(83,000)
Exchange translation adjustment	2,000
Balance as of March 31, 2013 (unaudited)	468,000
Zhao Shang Ke Hubei [Member]
Balance as of December 31, 2012 (audited)	467,000
Share of losses in equity investment affiliates	(45,000)	110,000
Exchange translation adjustment	2,000
Balance as of March 31, 2013 (unaudited)	$ 424,000