But is it really that surprising that 3D is more popular in China than in America?

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Palladium, on the other hand, is used more in gasoline-powered engines that are popular in North America and China, and that is another factor underpinning palladium, Steel said.

FORBES: FOCUS: Platinum, Palladium Show Divergence; Reflects Fundamentals

Elsewhere in China, biogas projects have proven more popular than in Yunnan, where colder temperatures generally require a greenhouse to cover the units.

CNN: 'Green' revolution under way in rural China

Samsonov's career peaked at a time when the world's best players were European, but now that the Chinese have regained the ascendancy the game is more popular and, paradoxically, top Europeans are even bigger stars in China.

WSJ: Four Chinese Table-Tennis Stars Expanding Sport's Popularity

Bar investment is popular in China and India, while exchange-traded fund buying is more popular in Western countries.

FORBES: INTERVIEW: Currency Market Intervention Can Be Supportive To Gold -- Thomson Reuters GFMS