­China is expected to export 1 billion mobile phones this year, driven by a surge in demand for smartphones worldwide, according to the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products.

In terms of total units shipped, the shipments will represent an annual increase of nearly 15 percent, and the export value will likely surge to US$74 billion, the association said.

China exported 618 million mobile phones in the first eight months of the year, up 15.5 percent year on year. The export value jumped at an annual rate of 27.7 percent to US$46.7 billion, according to the General Administration of Customs.

Global mobile phone shipments and sales both maintained stable growth in the first half, led by a surge of more than 40 percent in shipments, the association added.

China accounts for nearly 80 percent of global mobile phone production.