ZTE hosts former President Jimmy Carter as China-US dynamic drives business growth
President Carter briefed on ZTE’s success in US smartphone market during tour of ZTE Shanghai Research and Development Centre
9 September 2014, Shanghai – ZTE Corporation (“ZTE”) (H share stock code: 0763.HK / A share stock code: 000063.SZ), a publicly-listed global provider of telecommunications equipment, network solutions and mobile devices, is delighted to welcome former President of the United States Jimmy Carter to Shanghai, and strengthen its friendship with the President who championed closer ties between the US and China.
Mr Carter toured ZTE’s Research and Development Centre in Shanghai, home to some of the company’s most significant technology research projects in telecommunications networks and devices. Shi Lirong, President of ZTE, and Cheng Lixin, Chairman of ZTE USA, briefed Mr Carter on the latest business updates in the US market, where ZTE is consolidating its position as one of the top smartphone providers.
“It was my pleasure to visit the ZTE Research and Development Centre in Shanghai today. It was impressive to learn of the great technological advancements that ZTE has developed,” Mr Carter said. “During this 35th anniversary of the normaliation of US – China relations, it is good to know of the partnerships between ZTE and American telecommunications companies.”
“We are honoured by the visit of Mr Carter to ZTE, and delighted to have the opportunity to show him some of the company’s latest innovations,” said Mr Shi, “Mr Carter’s vision and foresight has helped inspire ZTE and other Chinese technology companies to develop deep and mutually-beneficial partnerships with our counterparts in the US.”
In 1979, the then President Carter and Premier Deng Xiaoping signed the US-China Agreement on Cooperation in Science and Technology, paving the way for 35 years of collaboration in a diverse range of sectors including industrial technology, energy, earth and atmospheric sciences, and health. Mr Carter previously met ZTE Chairman and Founder Hou Weigui in a visit to China in 2012.
ZTE’s business model and strategy exemplifies the spirit with which the agreement was signed, as the company’s US partnerships and investments have led to its success and innovation in the US, China, and on a global level. ZTE was a top-four provider of smartphones in the US in the second quarter of 2014, with a market share of 7.4 percent, higher than any other Chinese company according to research company Strategy Analytics.
In the US, ZTE collaborates with leading operators including AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and others to provide consumers with award-winning smartphones and mobile devices. ZTE is ranked second in market share in the pay-as-you-go market, and its share of the contract market is steadily growing.
ZTE is actively pursuing collaborations and alliances in the US, with companies including Qualcomm, Texas Instruments, Google and Microsoft, generating more than US$17 billion in revenue to the US technology industry. ZTE also operates five research and development centres across the country in Austin, San Diego, San Jose, North Carolina and New Jersey, with local employees accounting for 80 percent of the total headcount of the US market.
“ZTE’s success is built on our alliances with US partners, and we are committed to deepening our partnerships and alliances. The foundations laid by Mr Carter will continue to underpin collaboration between the technology industries in the US and China in the future,” said Mr. Cheng.
The technology development carried out by ZTE in the US helps support and drive the growth of the company’s operations globally. ZTE’s products and services are sold in more than 160 countries worldwide, and the company has more than 60 million active users globally for its mobile devices.
About ZTE
ZTE is a publicly-listed global provider of telecommunications equipment and network solutions with the most comprehensive product range covering virtually every telecommunications sector, including wireless, access & bearer, VAS, terminals and professional services. The company delivers innovative, custom-made products and services to over 500 operators in more than 160 countries, helping them to meet the changing needs of their customers while growing revenue. ZTE commits 10 per cent of its annual revenue to research and development and has leadership roles in several international bodies devoted to developing telecommunications industry standards. ZTE is committed to corporate social responsibility and is a member of the UN Global Compact. The company is China’s only listed telecom manufacturer that is publicly traded on both the Hong Kong and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges (H share stock code: 0763.HK / A share stock code: 000063.SZ). For more information, please visit www.zte.com.cn.
