China Electronics Corporation
| Company type | State-owned enterprise |
|---|---|
| Industry | Telecommunications equipment |
| Headquarters | China |
| Products | Telecommunications equipment, mobile phones |
China Electronics Corporation (CEC) is a state-owned enterprise in China and ranks among the country's leading manufacturers of telecommunications equipment, serving both civilian and defense sectors.
History
In 2007, CEC took over the mobile phone division of Philips, which at that time generated annual revenues of 400 million euros and employed 240 staff members. This acquisition enabled CEC to market mobile phones under the Philips brand. Prior to this, Philips had relocated its mobile phone manufacturing to China in 2001 through a joint venture with CEC. Starting in 2013, Romania became the initial European Union market to offer Philips-branded phones, following their earlier availability restricted to the BRIC nations (Brazil, Russia, India, and China).
CEC expanded its international presence in 2012 by acquiring a stake in H-Buster, a Brazilian electronics firm established in 1997 by Guilherme Ho Yi. H-Buster focused on products such as car audio systems, televisions, and computers, operating manufacturing facilities within the Manaus Free Trade Zone and maintaining headquarters in Cotia, São Paulo. The collaboration sought to enhance local manufacturing capabilities and broaden the product range. Despite efforts to revive operations, H-Buster encountered financial troubles that led to judicial recovery proceedings in 2013 and ultimately resulted in the company ceasing its activities.
U.S. investment prohibition
In August 2020, the United States Department of Defense identified various companies linked to the People's Liberation Army that operate within the U.S., including CEC. Subsequently, in November 2020, then-President Donald Trump signed an executive order prohibiting American individuals and entities from holding shares in companies designated by the Department of Defense as connected to the Chinese military, with CEC included on this list.