Nevertheless, dealers predict this will change as excitement surrounds international event

Auction report; 3rd November 2005

Tate’s director of collections has visited China twice this year and MoMA trustees are also on their way

Influential forces in the Western art world are courting potential Chinese buyers, but this market is far from mature

Overseas collectors are shipping work to China for sale in the growing number of auction houses

What does this mean for auction houses and the growing number of buyers?

1996 saw high prices and new records with the Chinese determining the shape and make up of future sales