China's state-owned wireless provider, China Mobile Ltd., announced it has developed its first mobile phone supporting NFC, according to China Daily. The device is to be used to help China Mobile promote its mobile payment services, the article said.

China Mobile is the world's largest wireless provider, measured by subscribers. The company provides cell service to more than 655 million customers in China and has approximately 70 percent market share. (Second place worldwide goes to U.K.-based carrier Vodafone, with around 440 million subscribers.)

China Mobile announced last month it is partnering with China's state-owned bankcard provider, China UnionPay, to bring NFC-based mobile payments to the Chinese market, potentially creating the world's largest mobile payment network. 

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