Chinese Tech Firms Dominate MWC Despite Mideast Travel Snags
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Chinese companies once again took center stage at the Mobile World Congress (MWC), which opened Monday in Barcelona, even as flight suspensions in the Middle East disrupted travel plans for some participants.
Nearly 300 companies from Greater China are exhibiting at this year’s event, up from 270 last year, according to the organizer, GSMA.
The gathering was nonetheless overshadowed by the U.S.-Iran conflict that erupted Feb. 28, prompting flight suspensions across parts of the Middle East. GSMA said a “small number” of attendees, exhibitors and speakers from the region may have been affected by travel restrictions. One Chinese exhibitor said a Feb. 28 flight from Shanghai to Barcelona via Doha was canceled, preventing attendance.
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- Nearly 300 companies from Greater China participated at MWC 2024 in Barcelona, up from 270 in 2023, despite some Middle East-related flight disruptions.
- Huawei, the largest sponsor, showcased AI and 5G-A upgrades, introduced 6G preparations, and launched its Atlas 950 AI system for overseas markets.
- Chinese consumer electronics makers, including Xiaomi, Honor, and Lenovo, debuted new smartphones and AI-powered concept devices targeting the European market.
- Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd.
- Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. is the largest sponsor of the Mobile World Congress. They are showcasing AI applications for smart cities and transportation, along with upgrades to intelligent network solutions and expanded 5G-Advanced (5G-A) technology. They also introduced technical solutions for 6G and, for the first time, rolled out their AI and general-computing solutions for overseas markets, including their Atlas 950 AI system.
- Xiaomi Corp.
- Xiaomi Corp. debuted new products for the European market at the Mobile World Congress. They unveiled the Xiaomi 17 and Xiaomi 17 Ultra smartphones, showcased a concept car developed with GT, and shared updates on their self-developed large model for overseas markets.
- Honor Device Co. Ltd.
- Honor Device Co. Ltd. unveiled the "Robot Phone" at MWC. This innovative device features a micromotor and a movable gimbal structure, allowing its 200-megapixel camera module to rotate physically and automatically track subjects.
- Lenovo Group Ltd.
- Lenovo Group Ltd. showcased a new foldable smartphone and other models with improved display and camera features. They also presented several AI concept devices, such as an AI desktop system, a modular AI PC, and a glasses-free 3D concept phone, at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.
- February 28, 2026：
- The U.S.-Iran conflict erupted, prompting flight suspensions across parts of the Middle East.
- February 28, 2026：
- A flight from Shanghai to Barcelona via Doha was canceled due to the aforementioned conflict, preventing attendance by at least one Chinese exhibitor.
- March 2, 2026：
- Mobile World Congress (MWC) opened in Barcelona, with a strong presence from Chinese companies.
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