Tianjin Airport Industrial Port reports that Shenzhen based-ZTE plans to invest CNY5 billion to build its northern base inside the port.

ZTE is the only mainland company that has been listed among the global 100 IT companies. In 2005, its sales reached CNY50 billion which enabled it to become one of the major telecom equipment suppliers in the world.

ZTE's northern base will include a regional R&D center, an innovative service center, a production center, a northern market headquarters and attached facilities. It will focus on WiMAX, 3G mobile phones, RFID and serve the global market.

At present, ZTE has thirteen R&D centers both in and outside of China, with a total of more than 30000 developing staff.