Samsung shifting its focus in China to high-end and emerging sectors

Samsung Electronics Co Ltd is shifting its focus to high-end manufacturing and emerging sectors including batteries and capacitors in China, as the South Korean technology giant is reportedly planning to close its smartphone manufacturing plant in Huizhou, Guangdong province, in September - its last smartphone factory in China.

Industry experts said the tech heavyweight has faced intense competition from local smartphone makers, such as Huawei, Oppo and Vivo, and is adjusting its strategy in China, aspiring to seize the opportunities arising from electric vehicle batteries and automotive electronics devices.

Samsung did not respond to requests for comment on the Huizhou factory closure, but the official WeChat account of Huizhou Samsung Electronics last week posted recruitment information for other companies in Guangdong province, such as carmaker BYD Co Ltd and battery supplier Desay Corp.