68 mln mobile phones sold in China in 2004, 14% growth

China's mobile phone market grew 14% in 2004, Gartner says. Mobile phone makers sold 68 mln units in China, the world's biggest market, accounting for about 12% of 2004 global unit sales. Nokia became market leader and saw its market share grow to 19.7% last year from 15% in 2003, overtaking former #1 Motorola, whose share dropped to 12.1% from 17%. Samsung retained the #3 position, rising to 11.9% from 10.5%. China's largest mobile operator, Ningbo Bird, saw its share drop to 8.6% from 10%, while the #2 domestic firm, TCL Communication, fell to 7.2% from 9.7%.