The first batch of China Unicom's dual mode cellular phones, the first of its kind in the world, will official hit the market Thursday evening.

Dual-mode cell phones can support both GSM and CDMA networks. This allows users to switch at will between the two network types.

The 500 thousand dual-mode cell phones were made by top manufacturers Motorola, Samsung and LG. The price is around 4,500 yuan, or more than US$540.

China Unicom is one of the two largest telecommunication providers in China.

(CRI August 5, 2004)