With China's 300 million smartphone users, it's clearly a massive market opportunity for western developers, if a difficult one to access.

And that's the opportunity that online game operator and developer The9 is offering.

Working with key carriers and OEMs, it reckons it can get Android games onto 30 app stores. 

Not only that, but its Games Zone platform, run in conjunction with OpenFeint, has been experiencing steady growth.

Keeping the lights on

"Official Android shutdowns are a recurring issue for mobile users and developers," said Chris Shen, GM of its mobile business unit, concerning blackouts of the Android Market. 

"However, our partnership with Chinese application distributions reaches over 30 major channels including telecom carriers, mobile device manufacturers and thirdparty channels.

"The9 Game Zone lets gamers continue playing even during blackouts - there's no disruption whatsoever."

The9 currently enjoys partnerships with some of the major Chinese carriers such as China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom as well as manufacturers like Lenovo, HTC, and Motorola.

The company has been running its $100 million localisation and distribution Fund9 to further encourage western developers and publishers to get involved. 

For more information on The9 and its services, click here.