Not only are Chinese consumers set to become the world’s biggest TV buyers next year, but the Chinese TV market is rapidly catching up with the rest of the world in terms of technological development. That’s because Chinese consumers are demanding newer, more sophisticated things like internet TV and 3D TV.

Chinese consumers already, on average, buy bigger TVs than their American counterparts . And new data from AU Optronics, the world’s third-biggest flat panel maker, is sure to bring some much-needed cheer to TV makers.

Paul Peng, executive vice-president of AUO, said around a fifth of televisions sold in China during the week-long national day holiday at the beginning of October were internet-enabled televisions. Wealthy Chinese consumers are also early adopters of 3D TVs. Peng said AU Optronic’s clients, which include both Japanese as well as local Chinese TV brands, found to their surprise that there was particularly strong demand for giant, 65-inch 3D televisions in China. Such models typically retail for around $5,000 in the US and Europe.