Huawei and ZTE fight travel bans to reach Mobile World Congress

Virus outbreak leaves Chinese tech companies up in the air for 5G event

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The Mobile World Conference in Barcelona is one of the most important events of the year for tech companies like Huawei and ZTE. © Getty Images

CHENG TING-FANG, COCO LIU, LAULY LI and BENNY KUNG, Nikkei staff writers

TAIPEI/HONG KONG -- Huawei Technologies, ZTE, Oppo and other Chinese smartphone makers are rushing to ensure their participation in the world's biggest mobile technology event later this month as the coronavirus outbreak triggers travel bans that leave China increasingly isolated.

Oppo and Xiaomi, another smartphone maker, have canceled plans to organize tours for Chinese media as they did in past years at the MWC in Barcelona, four people familiar with the matter said. To make sure other events take place as planned, Huawei, ZTE and Oppo will deploy employees to Barcelona as soon as this week, three people said. Xiaomi will mobilize overseas staff to support the event, according to one person.

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