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The Chinese Ministry of Information Industry, after eight years of attempts by Research In Motion, has finally approved use of the BlackBerry in their country. This news comes at a great time for Research In Motion, who have recently reported large gains in the first quarter of 2007. Not only that, but the agreement may allow RIM to manufacture the devices in China, further saving money and boosting sales.

The 8700g is set to be released in late August, and has already received 5,000 preorders. This is significant, because the device will open at a price of $700US. Yeah, so that’s more than double what we’re paying here. Like the US market, though, expect the price to drop.

The approval from the Chinese government is a big breakthrough for RIM in the last remaining major market in Asia that it had been unable to penetrate. The company had launched the BlackBerry in other key markets such as Japan, India, Singapore and South Korea in recent years, but China was the major holdout.

We understand if you’re annoyed that the topic keeps coming up, but the China news is further proof that the BlackBerry will easily survive the iPhone. Honestly, this story puts it all into perspective: the BlackBerry is so far reaching that it would take at truly revolutionary device to replace it.

The money stat from the story: analysts think that RIM could see a 25 percent gain in worldwide customers because of this deal. You thought their 73 percent gain in the first quarter of 2007 was big? You ain’t seen nothin’ yet.

[Globe and Mail]

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