AN OFFICIAL of the China Ceramics Industrial Association said he was surprised and shocked when Interform Ceramics Technologies chairman Ngan Man-po claimed to be unaware of his association's existence.
China Ceramics Industrial Association chief secretary Wang Yanyi said Mr Ngan had contacted the association earlier this year about the possibility of their joint co-operation in the Chinese ceramics business.
Mr Ngan said at a press conference last week he did not know of the association or any other formal organisation in the ceramics industry. ''I have been in the industry for more than 10 years. I cannot recall any official association,'' he said.
Two weeks ago, the association sent a letter to the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong confirming the validity of documents submitted by Siu-Fung Ceramics relating to an ongoing joint venture in the city of Zibo, in China's Shandong province.
Mr Wang said he believed Mr Ngan was aware of his [Mr Wang's] position in the association. Mr Wang said the association represented the major ceramics producers in China.
''The association is the only trade organisation in China's ceramics industry and was established with the approval of the Ministry of Civil Affairs in China,'' he said.