Chinese firms join ranks of global leaders in patent applications

Nation's telecom equipment giants plunging resources into R&D sector

The Chinese telecom equipment manufacturers Huawei Technologies Co and ZTE Corp are trying to further build their strengths in innovation and provide secure products to customers.

Founded in the 1980s, the two companies, both based in the coastal city of Shenzhen, in South China, have quickly become leaders in the world's telecom industry and rising stars in the protection of intellectual property.