A record number of Chinese companies are taking part in this year's International Consumer Electronics Show, one of the largest electronics exhibitions in the world, to maximize China's position as the largest producer and market for computers and smartphones.

A total of 662 Chinese companies occupied stands in Las Vegas on Tuesday for the opening of the four-day CES, a record number, according to organizers. Many have brought new products that represent the latest innovations in cutting-edge technology.

TV manufacturer Hisense Group, based in the coastal city of Qingdao in Shandong province, even took the prime exhibition spot occupied by Microsoft Corp last year, in the central entrance area. Microsoft decided not to attend this year, after it had unveiled its Windows 8 operating systems last year.

Hisense showed a 55-inch Google TV as its flagship product, with many of the other Chinese electronics companies exhibiting the new wave of smartphones and wireless Internet devices.

"We are so proud this year that we are able to exhibit at the space originally reserved by Microsoft, said Laurence Li, CEO of Hisense USA Corp. "Today's response is overwhelming, and we are very excited about the outcome. Hisense's TV sales were $300 million in 2012. We anticipate it exceeding $500 million in 2013.

"We are going to take the next challenge of marketing and branding so that our products will reach next level of acceptance in the US market."

According to US technology consulting firm International Data Corp, smartphones in China accounted for 51.3 percent of the total mobile phone shipment of 86 million in the second quarter of last year, taking the lion's share in the market for the first time.

NPD Display Search, another technology firm, said 65 million tablet computers were sold in China, surpassing the sales of notebook computers for the first time, to make it the second-largest tablet market after the US, which notched up 85 million sales.

Huawei Technologies Co Ltd, competing against Sweden's Ericsson for the title of the world's No 1 telecom equipment maker, unveiled the largest smartphone in the world.

Jie Jinjin, vice-president of Huawei, said the Ascend Mate, with a 6.1-inch HD IPS display, and running on Google's Android system, is the fastest and most powerful cell phone to date.

"More than 50 staff members of Huawei have come to the show this year and we are very excited to present our newest technologies to the world," said Ivy Xiong, senior PR manager of Huawei.

Lenovo Group, China's largest computer maker vying with HP to be the world's largest, brought more than 40 products to CES, including computers, smartphones and smart TV.

Smaller companies at the show are eying specific segments of the market, aiming to attract international buyers.

Uchair Technologies, a Beijing-based company, brought the world's first integrated ergonomic PC chair. According to its CEO, Frank Liu, the chair features split keyboard, LCD/laptop/iPad bracket, patented foot switch and embedded cable design.

"Nobody else has such an advanced ergonomic PC chair that intergrates high-tech, human body and health into one chair like ours," said Liu.

He said Uchair currently sells more than 50,000 chairs a year in China. They plan to enter the US market to compete with the largest US company, Kinesis, in the ergonomic PC chair market, by establishing distribution and sales through business-to-business channels.

Among the 662 Chinese exhibitors, almost a third are from Shenzhen, the center of electronics manufacturing and distribution in China.

"We are here to meet with our distributors, resellers and customers at CES," said Liu Qiang, chairman and CEO of Ingenic Semiconductor Co Ltd. "We do not expect to sell much at the show, but it's a great branding opportunity for us."

Liqiang Chen of Changzhou Jiexun Electronics Co Ltd, said it is their first step into the US market.

"Our electronic robot cleaner and lawn mower attracted a lot of attention at the show, but the market is still unknown to us," said Chen.

"Strategically, we need to investigate the US market for our products, especially the lawn mower. There are not many competitors and we are definitely in the pioneer role."

The company plans to set up an office in the US in the next few months and formally launch in the market.

kellyzhang@chinadailyusa.com

(China Daily 01/09/2013 page1)