To: Richard B. Haenisch who wrote (18 ) 12/28/1999 3:19:00 PM From: Goldbug Guru Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 203
Qiao Xing hopes to make CDMA cellphones in China NEW YORK, Dec 28 (Reuters) - Qiao Xing Universal Telephone Inc. (NasdaqNM:XING - news) said Tuesday the government of the Guangdong Province in China is reviewing its application to manufacture CDMA cellphones. Qiao Xing, which is based in Huizhou City in Guangdong, also said it struck a preliminary agreement with a ''major Asian telecommunications firm'' that makes and markets CDMA phones around the world, the company said in a statement. It did not disclose the name of the firm. CDMA (code division multiple access) technology is a protocol for cellphones. It is dominant in the United States and its influence has been growing. Currently, cellphones in China are only made on an older, European protocol. Shares of Qiao Xing nearly tripled on the Nasdaq at midday minutes after the announcement, with the stock up 14-7/8 to 23 from its close on Monday of 8-1/4. The stock had been flat to slightly lower ahead of the announcement. According to the company, the Chinese government said in October it would allow from three to five Chinese companies to make CDMA cellphones and would grant interest-free loans to those companies. The company said that the deal with the unnamed Asian firm was not finalized, but said that it hopes to set up a joint venture in which the two firms would set up a factory in China where Qiao Xing would manufacture and market the phones. ''We are waiting for the agreement to be finalized, but we are optimistic about Qiao Xing's entry into China's potentially huge CDMA cellphone market,'' said Qiao Xing Chairman Riu Lin Wu in a statement. He said the Ministry of Information is expected to review the application with the Economics and Trade Committee before year-end. Those who hold always get rewarded. Yahoo!!!