The definition of "dependent" in this case comes from The Economist's Sinodependency Index �� an interactive graphic that gives a breakdown of revenues from China for US multinationals operating in the world's second-largest economy.

The 2013 Index, [Hong Kong Company Formation, Incorporation, Business Registration]as of July, had some interesting facts. For example, technology companies �� including Apple Inc, Qualcomm Inc, Intel Corp and IBM Corp �� are receiving increasing revenues from the Chinese market.

Listed companies are more dependent on China than they were when the index was introduced in 2009. China, on average, accounted for 11.2 percent of revenues in 2012, up from 9.8 percent in 2009.

Apple, which tops the chart this year, got 11 percent of revenues (as of July) from China compared with 1.1 percent in 2009.

Consumer/non-cyclical companies such as Yum! Brands, Procter & Gamble Co, Coca-Cola Co and Johnson & Johnson are also seeing increasing revenues from China.

Zhu Zhiqun, a professor of political science and international relations at Bucknell University and author of US-China Relations in the 21st Century, said the index suggests a growing China influence on a number of S&P 500 companies.

"It signifies a more open Chinese market and a more interdependent relationship between the Chinese economy and Western economies," said Zhu.

Jon Taylor, a professor of political science at the University of St. Thomas in Houston, said: "I believe that this dependency can and will grow, primarily as a result of China shifting to a[Hong Kong Company Formation|Hong Kong Company Registration] more knowledge- and consumption-based model for growth.

"Many multinational companies are banking on Chinese consumers to do for them in the coming decade what US and Western consumers have done in the past," Taylor said.

China's growing market in literally every industry provides promising opportunities for multinationals that want to be part of it, or expand their presence using China strategies to gain and win the market.

Companies that have larger revenues from the Chinese market can also have more exposure to investments and facilities in China.

"The implication is that perhaps US multinationals that are Sinodependent are potentially at risk of exposure if a real economic dip occurs in China," said Taylor.