HTC has shot to prominence as the first manufacturer of mobile phones using Google's Android operating system. In doing so, 52-year-old chief executive Peter Chou has taken the Taiwanese company on a journey increasingly taken by the largest Asian businesses - from low value local partner to a company with international aspirations.

HTC, short for High Tech Computer Company, started life as an outsourcing partner for telecoms operators producing branded handsets for them. Under Mr Chou, it took the risky step of becoming a rival to them as well by launching its own-brand handsets, which run on Windows Mobile. The smartphone sector is growing fast but it is also attracting attention from outside the telecoms industry, be it from Apple or Acer.