(Yicai Global) July 29 -- Chinese mobile phone giant Xiaomi has appointed Zeng Xuezhong, former chief executive officer of telecoms titan ZTE’s mobile division, as the group’s vice president and head of its smartphone department.

Zeng will be responsible for the development and production of mobile phones and will report to Chairman and Chief Executive Lei Jun, the Beijing-based company said in a statement today.

He fills the shoes of co-founder and President Lin Bin who is stepping down as leader of the smartphone division and moving to the group’s new strategy committee to serve as vice chairman.

Zeng brings with him a wealth of experience in the telecoms industry. Over the last 20 years he has worked as executive vice president of Shenzhen-based ZTE, CEO of ZTE’s mobile division, global executive vice president of computer product maker Tsinghua Unigroup, president of electronic goods manufacturer Unisplendour Corp. and CEO of fabless semiconductor firm Unisoc Communications.

After leaving Unisoc last year, Zeng founded Huixin Communication, which specializes in fifth-generation wireless network technologies and in which Xiaomi is an investor. Zeng will remain chairman of the Shenzhen-based firm and Xiaomi will continue to cooperate with Huixin and support its business development, Xiaomi said.

Xiaomi’s share price [HKG:1810] closed up 0.27 percent at HKD14.90 (USD1.92) today.

Editor: Kim Taylor