More than 300 Chinese technology companies are participating in the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2024 in Barcelona, Spain, showing their latest innovations and products in a bid to tap into new business opportunities and gain a bigger footprint in European markets and beyond. Despite the relentless technology crackdown on Chinese companies by the U.S., analysts said that Chinese companies have demonstrated enduring competitive advantages in the field, evident through their latest offerings showcased at the global industry event, ranging from 5G to artificial intelligence (AI). Active participation in the event also highlights how Chinese companies are open to global collaboration despite intensified U.S. sanctions. The four-day expo from February 26 to 29 has attracted a multitude of leading firms. The number of participating companies from China has about doubled this year to 300, with their latest products on display.
A Chinese employee who has participated in the MWC for many years told the Global Times that compared with last year, this year is obviously more lively. He observed that in Hall 3, the main exhibition hall of the MWC, there are more Chinese company booths, which indicate that Chinese companies are moving to the center of the stage. According to the host of the MWC 2024, Huawei will be the largest exhibitor this year, and China Telecom and Alipay will make their debuts at the ICT technology show. In addition, other Chinese tech companies like Xiaomi, Honor and ZTE are attending the event. Chinese PC maker Lenovo unveiled two concept products, including a smartphone with a flexible OLED screen and a laptop equipped with a transparent screen but without a physical keyboard. Huawei's highlight at this year's MWC was the release of 5G-A products and solutions, including the global debut of Huawei's large-scale model. 5G-advanced (5G-A), also known as 5.5G, represents a partial upgrade of 5G networks in terms of functionality and coverage. According to Huawei, 5G-A can provide a downlink speed of 10 Gbps, which is 10 times the previous 5G speed of 1 Gbps. Its objective is not to replace 5G but to address issues that 5G cannot solve in certain specific scenarios before the commercialization of 6G, the company said.
Another Chinese exhibitor, ZTE, is also prioritizing the commercial use of 5G-A as a key focus for this year's event. Honor and Xiaomi have already taken the lead in releasing their latest products on the sidelines of the MWC. Honor's focus at the MWC is on AI. It has unveiled a comprehensive AI strategy and introduced a range of intelligent devices including the Honor MagicBook 16 Pro and the Honor Pad 9. The Honor MagicBook 16 Pro is the brand's first AI PC at the MWC, a collaborative product with Android, Microsoft and Intel bringing new changes and delivering an efficient productivity experience, according to the company. Honor also launched the Porsche Design version of the Honor Magic V2 globally at the MWC.
“Chinese companies have consistently been an important driving force at the Barcelona exhibition, showcasing their commitment to globalization and leveraging development as a window to demonstrate China's openness, cooperation and win-win opportunities to Europe and the world,” Ma Jihua, a veteran telecom observer, told the Global Times.
