THE Chinese government yesterday signed contracts with bid-winning home appliance manufacturing enterprises, paving the way for offering subsidies to rural home appliance buyers next year.

According to the contracts, 15,290 models of televisions, refrigerators, washing machines, mobile phones, electromagnetic cookers, microwave ovens, air-conditioners, computers and water heaters can enjoy government subsidies for their sales in rural areas.

The Chinese government kept unchanged the price ceilings and subsidy limits for home appliance sales in rural areas from the level of this year.