SHANGHAI -- Third quarter handset sales in China reached 20.97 million units, a record, according to a media report today.

The shipments were valued at 31.8 billion yuan (RMB8.2:US$1), according to a report from Chinese Sina.com, quoting sources at China-based CCID Consulting.

Handset shipments are forecast to top 88 million units this year, CCID predicted, up 20.5% over last year.

Nokia was the top vendor, with a 19.3% share, followed by Motorola (12%), Samsung Electronics (9.5%), Ningbo Bird (8%), and Lenovo (5.1%).

Foreign OEMs are pushing out domestic brands: Chinese phone makers reported a 41.3% share for the quarter, the lowest mark of the year, the report said.