BlackBerry maker RIM is to launch a Chinese version of its applications store as part of a major company push into the world’s largest mobile market. Greg Shea, head of RIM in China, told Reuters that App World China will launch “soon,” as well as consumer Internet services. RIM’s efforts to grow its Chinese presence follow the May launch of BlackBerry services in China via the country’s third-largest mobile operator, CDMA carrier China Telecom. China Mobile – the world’s largest mobile operator – offers BlackBerry services over its 2G GSM network but is working with RIM on the production of devices capable of supporting its 3G network based on TD-SCDMA technology.

BlackBerry App World went live on April 1, 2009 and RIM claims it has been downloaded by over 20 million subscribers. It is available in 65 countries and six languages, and has almost one million app downloads per day. Reports last month suggested the store is about to undergo a major update to enable it to better compete with much larger – and more successful offerings – from the likes of Apple and Google. App World is believed to offer only around 6,500 applications, whilst Apple’s App Store has topped 225,000.  Interestingly, RIM’s launch of a Chinese app store will see it compete directly with offerings from the country’s own operators; China Mobile, for example, has launched its Mobile Market app store.