中興通訊將調整管理層 ZTE to overhaul management amid US sanctions problems

ZTE, the Chinese telecommunications infrastructure company, will reshuffle its management today, including naming a new chairman to replace founder Hou Weigui .

中國電信設備製造商中興(ZTE)今日將調整管理層，包括任命一位新的董事長來替換創始人侯爲貴。

The company declined to comment yesterday about whether the changes were related to its troubles in the US, where it has been hit by sanctions over accusations it was a conduit for sensitive US technology to Iran, in violation of US export control laws.

對於這些人事變動是否與其在美國遭遇的麻煩相關，該公司昨日拒絕置評；美國指控中興成了美國敏感技術流入伊朗的通道，觸犯了美國的出口管制法律，美國據此對中興實施制裁。

ZTE faced a total ban on the supply of any technology from US companies, which analysts said would be disastrous if it were protracted and which drew condemnation from Beijing.

中興面臨獲得美國公司技術供應的全面禁令，分析人士表示，如果禁令持續實行，那將是災難性的，這一禁令遭到了北京方面的譴責。

But last month, following weeks of discussions, the commerce department said it had agreed to suspend the restrictions until June 30 in return for commitments by ZTE to disclose the full extent of its sales to Iran and North Korea and to undertake internal reforms to comply with US laws banning trade with prohibited countries.

但上月，在經過幾周的談判後，美國商務部表示，它已同意在6月30日之前暫緩限制，作爲回報，中興承諾將全面披露向伊朗和朝鮮銷售產品的情況，並啓動內部改革，以遵守禁止與被禁止國家進行貿易往來的美國法律。

Under a temporary licence, US companies are permitted to do business with ZTE but it has not been removed from the list of prohibited companies. The licence will expire at the end of June 30 if it is not extended by US authorities.

根據一項暫時許可證，美國企業可以與中興做生意，但中興還沒有從被禁止公司名單中除名。如果沒有得到美國政府的延長，該許可證將在6月30日之後失效。

ZTE’s board is expected to meet today and tomorrow to disclose 2015 financial results and discuss management changes. The meeting had been scheduled for last month but was delayed amid the sanctions probe.

預計中興董事會將於今明兩日開會，披露2015年業績並討論管理層變動。此次會議原本定在上月舉行，但由於制裁調查而被推遲。

The company declined to say how many executives would be replaced but confirmed chairman and founder Mr Hou would be retiring — though denied that was linked to last month’s events.

中興拒絕透露將替換幾名高管，但證實董事長和創始人侯爲貴將退休——儘管否認這與上月的事態相關。

Mr Hou’s retirement was revealed on January 10, when his name was absent from a list of board members in a filing made to the Hong Kong Stock exchange, according to the company.

據中興稱，侯爲貴退休是在1月10日公佈的，當時在遞交給港交所(Hong Kong Stock exchange)的一份監管申報文件中，他的名字沒有出現在董事會成員名單中。

“The board will meet together to select a new management team and also the new chairman [of the board],” ZTE said. “It is up to the 14-member board to elect a new chairman.”

“董事會將開會選定新的管理團隊並任命新的董事長，”中興表示，“將由14人組成的董事會推選一位新的董事長。”

Nomura has estimated that 10-15 per cent of the components used in ZTE’s telecoms equipment and smartphones were supplied by US-based vendors as of last year.

野村(Nomura)估計，去年，在用於中興電信設備和智能手機的零配件中，有10%至15%是由總部位於美國的供應商供應的。