CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:      
Net loss $ (2,518) $ (1,149) $ (55,290)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash generated from operating activities:      
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 22,182 22,407 21,984
Amortization of land use rights 1,164 1,174 1,144
Amortization of intangible assets 178 199 213
Impairment loss on goodwill 0 0 11,388
Impairment loss on long-lived assets 3,549 0 11,590
Deferred income taxes (482) (163) (485)
Changes in fair value of warrant liabilities (839) 399 (951)
Gain from disposal of subsidiaries   (2,767)  
Amortization of debt issuance costs 175 191 19
Amortization of government grant (3) (3) (3)
Share-based compensation expense 211 166 10,479
Loss from disposal of property, plant and equipment 45 508 266
Exchange loss (gain) 41 (28) 851
Gain from extinguishment of amounts due to original shareholders of acquired subsidiaries   (462)  
Provision for impairment allowance on prepayments and other current assets   843 696
Provision for allowance for doubtful accounts on amounts due from a related party     1,302
Net pension cost recognized   33 173
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:      
Accounts receivable 2,175 (1,797) 242
Notes receivable 789 (1,874)  
Prepayments and other current assets (426) (463) 310
Other non-current assets (538) 779 (344)
Accounts payable (1,084) (345) (42)
Amounts due to related parties (1) (2)  
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities (6,437) (1,524) (1,903)
Other non-current liabilities 1,229 6,578 5
Net cash generated from operating activities 19,410 22,700 1,644
Cash flows from investing activities:      
Acquisition of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired   (8,923) (19,330)
Proceeds from disposal of subsidiaries 10,957 20,212  
Cash deposit for potential acquisitions     (696)
Acquisition of intangible assets (90)    
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment (1,087) (7,091) (1,490)
Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment 26 35 112
Payment to contractors for construction projects (450) (6,931) (3,330)
Loans to a related party   (86)  
Proceeds from insurance claims 549    
Net cash (used in) generated from investing activities 9,905 (2,784) (24,734)
Cash flows from financing activities:      
Proceeds from exercise of share options 26    
Purchase of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interests     (1,204)
Proceeds from loans from related parties 2,034 572 1,263
Proceeds from short-term loans 14,364 28,070 23,066
Proceeds from long-term loans 32,335 72,947 45,823
Proceeds from exercised warrants     10,036
Proceeds from loans from third parties 3,425 20,161 17,456
Payment of debt issuance costs and service fee (194) (704)  
Repayment of loans from related parties (5,585) (69)  
Repayment of short-term loans (26,225) (28,051) (20,889)
Repayment of long-term loans (36,544) (69,986) (66,955)
Repayment of loans from third parties (13,313) (38,136) (10,637)
Restricted cash 5,249 (5,166)  
Net cash used in financing activities (24,428) (20,362) (2,041)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents 4,887 (446) (25,131)
Effect of changes in exchange rate on cash and cash equivalents 1,311 11 76
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year 7,967 8,402 33,457
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year 14,165 7,967 8,402
Supplementary disclosure of cash flow information      
Interest paid 16,588 19,983 22,928
Income taxes paid 5,061 2,855 2,333
Non-cash activities:      
Non-cash portion of acquisition of subsidiaries     1,825
Non-cash portion of acquisition of property, plant and equipment 3,286 3,330 9,595
Non-cash portion of disposal of property, plant and equipment     20
Discharge of liability from disposal of subsidiaries   $ 158