Huawei leads the charge in EU quest

Despite recent negative economic indicators across Europe, and the eurozone in particular, there is a ray of hope as China's high-tech companies expand across the continent.

Computer giant Lenovo and telecom equipment provider ZTE are among this clutch of Europe-focused Chinese high-tech giants apparently determined to establish a firm presence on the world stage and in Europe in particular.

Lenovo, for a while now the world's No 1 PC producer by shipments, has made significant progress with its smartphone business this year. Eastern Europe is a key target in its global expansion and related diversification plans. In the longer term, Lenovo's management has also made it clear that it regards Eastern Europe as a springboard into Western European markets.