PARIS -- China's Ministry of Information Industry (MII) and Alcatel will sign today a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to create a Company Limited by Shares, Alcatel Shanghai Bell (ASB), integrating Alcatel's key operations in China with Shanghai Bell. Alcatel will hold 50 percent plus one share in Alcatel Shanghai Bell (ASB) with Chinese entities taking the remaining shares. ASB will offer Alcatel's comprehensive portfolio of products to Chinese operators and will be a leading supplier to the China market. The Minister of Information Industry, Wu Jichuan said, "Alcatel is the first global company with the vision to open up its global technology to a Chinese company. Establishing ASB is an important milestone in China's telecom industry and will contribute to the development of world leading telecom technologies in China." Alcatel SA