In January, 2008, RIM China announced that BlackBerry sales through China Mobile were on track although 2007 was the expected start date.

FORBES: RIM Helps Russia, China Monitor BlackBerry Users' E-mails

"With the increasing popularity of smartphones in China, we are delighted to offer the BlackBerry Curve 8910 smartphone through our retail distribution network in China, " said Guo Wei, Chairman and CEO, Digital China.

ENGADGET: Research In Motion enters Chinese retail channel with BlackBerry 8910 Curve

Second, potential acquirers with the most to gain from Blackberry are in China.

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We believe the powerful and easy-to-use BlackBerry Curve 8910 will help convince many more people in China to give up their traditional cell phone and upgrade to a BlackBerry smartphone.

ENGADGET: Research In Motion enters Chinese retail channel with BlackBerry 8910 Curve

"We are very pleased to launch the BlackBerry Curve 8910 smartphone with Digital China across their nationwide retail distribution network, " said Gregory Shea, Managing Director, China at Research In Motion.

ENGADGET: Research In Motion enters Chinese retail channel with BlackBerry 8910 Curve

China's Huawei jumped ahead of Nokia, HTC and BlackBerry maker Research In Motion in the world-wide smartphone race in the fourth quarter on the strength of its inexpensive devices.

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