(Yicai Global) Jan. 8 -- The number of Chinese companies attending the 2019 Consumer Electronics Show that starts in Las Vegas today is down nearly 22 percent on last year amid the ongoing trade conflict between China and host country, the United States.

Some 1,213 Chinese vendors, which include the regular tech trio of Alibaba Group Holding, Baidu and Tencent Holdings, have a presence at this year's CES, down from a high of 1,551 last year.

According to CNN and the Washington Post, some Chinese firms have skipped the event, which showcases the latest breakthroughs in consumer electronics, because of the uncertainty surrounding China-US bilateral trade. Potential tariffs of 10 to 15 percent are too great for exporters, especially startups and small businesses that lack supply chain flexibility in overseas trade. But Chinese firms still make up over a quarter of all attendees and only the US is better represented.

The reduced presence of Chinese tech firms is not a big problem, according to Consumer Technology Association President Gary Shapiro, who says their scale is increasing.

Chinese attendees at the CES, which runs to Jan. 11 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, also include e-commerce firm JD.Com, handset makers Vivo Communication Technology and Nubia Technology, as well as carmakers such as Future Mobility's Byton and FAW Group's Hongqi.

Chinese sponsors of the annual event include television maker TCL, JD and Lenovo. Their logos appear on the back of badges, desks and computers at the show.

Editor: William Clegg