China is a place to do things "new and innovative", said Carsten Breitfeld, co-founder and CEO of Nanjing-based electric-vehicle maker Byton, which unveiled its first drivable concept car at CES.

"The government is efficient, they move things fast. Investors are willing to invest in great ideas and on teams. And the market potential is tremendous," Breitfeld said.

In the realm of 5th generation mobile network and wireless communications, China's top-tier players Huawei and ZTE made no secrets of their ambitions.