Samsung Electronics, the world's third-largest mobile handset maker, has won a foothold to sell its GSM handsets in China, casting a threat to dominant foreign players Motorola and Nokia.
Industry sources said Samsung recently secured Beijing's approval to directly sell GSM handsets in China rather than relying on import agents. The move allows it to compete head-to-head with Motorola and Nokia in China's high-end mobile handset sector.
A Samsung spokesman declined to comment.
The news came as Motorola, the world's second-largest handset maker, said total sales in China last year were expected to hit US$5.7 billion.
'The year-on-year growth in China has been spectacular,' said Motorola president Mike Zafirovski, expecting 'healthy double digit growth' in annual purchases by China consumers.
Mr Zafirovski said mainland sales registered 15 per cent growth last year because the company exported more cellphones and semiconductor chips. Motorola is due to announce its full-year results on January 22.
Mr Zafirovski said Motorola was poised for a turnaround after battling an industry meltdown in the past two years, helped by a pick-up in the handset market.
