Slumping HTC appoints new China head

HTC Corp, the Taiwan-based smartphone maker, confirmed on Thursday that Jack Tong, its North Asia general manager, will become president of the company's China division starting on Aug 19.

Ray Yam, HTC China's former head, will remain in the company but will likely change titles and be responsible for new business, officials from HTC's public relations department said.

Yam took the helm of HTC China in 2011 and actively promoted HTC handsets in China by cooperating with local telecom operators, expanding distribution channels and launching various marketing campaigns, including a sponsorship of the popular TV show The Voice of China last year.

But HTC's market share in China's smartphone market has remained static. Competing with local rivals, such as Huawei Technologies Co Ltd and Lenovo Group, HTC has not seen the boost in revenue it expected.

Globally, the company also faces a severe slump in profits in the North American market.