Chinese customers will be able to purchase Blackberry handsets at Suning electronics outlets starting June 18, Beijing Business Today reported Thursday.

Suning has recently signed a strategic agreement with Canada-based Research in Motion (RIM) to be the sole distributor of Blackberry phones in the Chinese market. Blackberry phones will be available at all Suning outlets in China. Suning will also set up "Blackberry experience stores" in 22 Chinese cities including Beijing and Shanghai.

Two models - Blackberry 8310 and 8910 - will be the first to hit the Chinese market, with the former to be sold at 3,680 yuan and the latter 4,880 yuan. Suning outlets currently allow customers to pre-order both models.

Since the end of 2009, RIM has signed a series of cooperative agreements with Chinese telecom carriers including China Telecom. The Blackberry phones customized by these carriers target group customers at government institutions and enterprises.

China's business press carried the story above on Thursday. China.org.cn has not checked the stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

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