Research by GrowthBusiness’ sister publication Growth Company Investor shows that Australia is the next highest on the list with 62 companies, followed by China (48), Canada (47) and the Republic or Ireland (44).

When companies from the Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macau are included, China actually has 58 companies on the junior market.

The reputation of companies hailing from or operating in China took quite a hit last year after concerns were raised about their quality, and many investors remain warier than ever. But the People’s Republic has produced a number of AIM successes and in the past year they have delivered a mean 25 per cent share price gain, with home shopping product buyer ResponzeTV and anti-cancer compound producer Taihua particularly dazzling.

Over the longer term, silicon wafer recycler ReneSola has received much attention. Its recent downgrade from over 600p to below 300p has left it trading at a more reasonable value again.