Mainland carrier 'proves it can thrive' in tough, saturated market

China's biggest telecom carrier said its expansion to Hong Kong eight years ago has proved it can survive in one of the world's most competitive telecom markets, according to the company's Hong Kong chief.

State-owned China Mobile Communications Corp is the parent company of China Mobile Ltd, which has more than 780 million subscribers in the Chinese mainland. But many have said that the company's position reflects the high barriers to entry in its home market, not its competence.