璖ony Ericsson is looking to switch more of its handset production to China by increasing local suppliers of components at the cost of reducing its non-Chinese suppliers. Matthew Costello, corporate vice-president of Sony Ericsson and head of global operations, told the Chinese official news agency, China Daily that the move would enable the world's fourth-largest cell phone maker to "be more close to our manufacturing activity".

He added: "Roughly 90 percent of (Sony Ericsson's) finished products, including handsets and accessories, are now manufactured locally in China."

The company has already reduced the number of component suppliers from around 300 to 175 over the past couple of years.

"Currently, roughly 80 percent of our suppliers are Asia-headquartered," Costello added, without saying how many are based in China.

Sony Ericsson held a global supply conference in Beijing earlier this week.