China Telecom (NYSE: CHA; 0728.HK) and Shenzhen-based handset maker Yulong Computer Telecommunication, a subsidiary of China Wireless Technologies (2369.HK), aim to sell more than 1 mln Coolpad 5820 Sina Weibo handsets. Yulong and China Telecom will cooperate on channels, subscription packages, and marketing for the E-Surfing 3G handset, which comes with Chinese internet company Sina's (Nasdaq: SINA) Weibo microblogging mobile application pre-installed and will be available in approximately 5,000 retail outlets around the country. The RMB 1,000 Android smartphone features a hardware button with the Sina Weibo logo under the screen, offering one-click access to the Weibo interface for text, image, and video updates.

Editor's Note: At a recent press conference in Beijing, China Telecom and Sina announced eight new operator-customized E-Surfing 3G handsets, including Coolpad 5820, pre-loaded with Sina's Weibo mobile application. A spokesperson for Sina said that the company had signed a strategic partnership agreement with China Telecom in early June for projects including the pre-installing of Sina Weibo on key operator-customized handsets and joint development of a BREW client for the platform.