When the cell phone first appeared on the Chinese market in the late 1980s it cost 10,000-20,000 yuan, and was the size of a brick. Regarded as the ultimate status symbol, it was called the da ge da, meaning very influential person. At that time, sales of mobile phones were under state control, and stocks were limited. Purchasers were required to place an order and make an 80 percent down payment. How things have changed! Mobiles are now available in multiple choices of size, color and function, on request.
Actuality
China has become the world’s largest mobile phone manufacturing base and consumer market. In the first quarter of 2008, the total mobile phone shipment in China reached 134 million units, increasing 34.5% year over year. While the subscriber base of mobile services reached 480 million at the end of the first quarter of 2008, which increased approximately 20 million when compared to the statistic data at the end of last year.
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