Note 9 - Investment in and advance to equity investment affiliates (Details) - The movement of the investment in and advance to equity investment affiliates (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Balance as of December 31, 2012 (audited)			$ 959,000
Share of losses in equity investment affiliates	(45,000)	(97,000)	(170,000)	(394,000)
Advance to equity investment affiliates			32,000
Exchange translation adjustment			24,000
Balance as of September 30, 2013 (unaudited)	845,000		845,000
Shenzhen Mingshan [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Balance as of December 31, 2012 (audited)			492,000
Share of losses in equity investment affiliates	(6,000)	(27,000)	(41,000)	(120,000)
Exchange translation adjustment			12,000
Balance as of September 30, 2013 (unaudited)	463,000		463,000
Zhao Shang Ke Hubei [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Balance as of December 31, 2012 (audited)			467,000
Share of losses in equity investment affiliates	(39,000)	(70,000)	(129,000)	(274,000)
Advance to equity investment affiliates			32,000
Exchange translation adjustment			12,000
Balance as of September 30, 2013 (unaudited)	$ 382,000		$ 382,000