STAR Paging is slowing its investment in China despite its expectation of 30 to 50 per cent growth in the number of cellular stations and networks this year.
Star Paging invested $70 million on the mainland last year, boosting its total investment to more than $100 million. This year it will invest $50 million.
Star Paging's Alfred Shao said the reduced figure did not reflect lower profit margins in the mainland paging market.
The slowdown, he said, was due to a more selective approach towards choosing locations and joint-venture partners.
China accounted for seven per cent of Star's $100.3 million profit attributable to shareholders for the period to December 31, 1993.
Mainland operations are expected to contribute up to 13 per cent of next year's profits.
Mr Chiu said Star would not drop the price of its services to attract subscribers although about 90 per cent of its business comes from Hong Kong.