The Blackberry is often relied on to access emails

Canada-based Research In Motion (RIM) said Chinese consumers should be able to buy before the end of the year.

But the device will face stiff competition from low-cost rivals in China, including a popular local service called RedBerry.

The news sent shares in RIM up more than 6% to a record high on the tech-heavy Nasdaq index.

RIM said on Tuesday it struck the Chinese distribution deal with France's Alcatel-Lucent and that the first handset the new partnership will sell will be the 8700 model.

RIM has long recognised China's importance in its global plans, and first officially announced plans to sell the Blackberry in China's huge market in May 2006.

The news sent RIM shares to a record of $121.10.