Peter Guber,the Los Angles Dodger owner speaks at China Now summit (photo credit/ Meng Meng for Neontommy)

China’s slow economy growth and constant increasing labor cost have not dissuaded American companies from tapping the market.

More than 40 American companies, many small and privately held, attended the China Now summit in Los Angeles on Thursday, looking to work with local Chinese organizations and establish roots in a country where there's a growing demand for everything “Made in America" — from Hollywood movies to vitamin pills.

Rob Ridley, a partner of Truestarhealth, a nutrition product and personal healthcare company, was excited to sell his company's product in east coast China cities, where antioxidant supplements are popular among white collar and middle class families. For years, Ridley’s company struggled to turn a profit as too many similar products competed in the North American market.

But in China, Truestarhealth can easily grow because only four U.S companies sell nutrition products.

“We are going to build a factory in Shanghai, manufacturing and marketing locally," said Ridley. 

Rob Ridley not only sold his products, but he also met influential movers and shakers who understood the marketplace, including the mayor of Shanghai.

As Chinese officials search for a more sustainable growth model away from an economy overly dependent on low-cost exports, they stretch out to foreign companies that bring local employment and innovation. 

Sunivo, a Chinese supply chain giant, recently developed a 35,000-square-meter office in Shanghai, helping U.S companies in the chemical industry break into the local market.

“As a supply chain leader, Sunivo is doing two way business — pooling small Chinese manufactures and selling their products to Americans and helping U.S companies realizing their Chinese dream,” said Rodger Liu, deputy general manager of Sunivo. 

Hollywood, on the other hand, has long been lured by China’s large population. Even small production companies join the race, tailoring audience taste and marketing aggressively for a generation well versed with American movies. 

Film producer Brad Littlefield said he was surprised at how receptive Chinese studios were to American films. 

Littlefield is currently shooting a film based on true stories of Chinese families that migrated to New Deli centuries ago. He hopes his movie will resonate with Chinese audiences. 

For media company Variety, the film market in China became too big to be ignored.

“Only a few years ago, mainland China's film industry was roughly the size of Singapore’s or Hong Kong’s. But now it grew 32-fold,” said Patrick Frater during his keynote speech. “Tiny Times, a movie directed by a novelist and first time director reaped $800 million at the box office using only social media marketing.” 

Even if China can no longer hold on to the eight percent GDP growth miracle, National City Bank’s Monika Afarwal said she believes as long as China’s economy keeps growing, it will benefit small businesses trying to enter that market.

Reach Staff Reporter Meng Meng here. Follow her on Twitter.