Sunshore Solar Products Group, a Chinese company specialising in the research, development and production of renewable energy systems, has agreed a deal to become an official partner of the Chinese national table tennis team for the next four years. Table tennis is widely accepted as the most popular sport in China, and the national team has a fanatical following.

The country has dominated international competition, save for a brief period in the nineties, for the last 40 years. Indeed, Chinese players are often faced with former compatriots even in international competition; all four USA players at the Beijing Olympics were born in China.

The game's governing body in China was keen to secure a domestic sponsor, despite significant international interest. Huang Biao, the national team captain, said: "We believe that signing this agreement is a way to feel the support from our homeland, and will inspire us to work harder and to win glory for our country."

Despite the global recession, Sunshore's sales have continued to soar. The company marked a 76 per cent increase in turnover in 2008.