STOCKHOLM -(Dow Jones)- Mobile handset joint venture Sony Ericsson (SNE, ERIC) said Wednesday it has opened its Research and Development operation center in Beijing and extended its partnership with Chinese retailer Suning. MAIN FACTS: -Sony Ericsson and Suning will work together on retail and go-to-market strategies to drive further adoption of Sony Ericsson's smartphone portfolio across China. -Magnus Ahlqvist, President, Sony Ericsson Greater China, says: "The new center will play a central role in helping us to deliver innovative technologies and create deeper relationships with strategic customers like China Unicom (CHU) and China Mobile (CHL). Our expanded retail agreement with Suning will help us reach more Chinese consumers." -By Dominic Chopping; Dow Jones Newswires; +46-8-5451-3093; dominic.chopping@dowjones.com
