China's smartphone makers eye the world

CHINA'S top smartphone makers are moving away from their dependence on the domestic market for growth, looking instead to making their mark on the international stage. Market watchers, however, think the vendors face an uphill task in establishing themselves as genuine contenders to Samsung or Apple.

During the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) held earlier this month in Las Vegas, companies such as Huawei Technologies, Meizu, Lenovo and ZTE showcased their latest smartphones, such as the Ascend Mate II, MX3 and Grand S II, among others.

Besides announcing their products, Huawei used the platform to reveal its plans to ship 80 million handsets in 2014, up from the 52 …