Finnish mobile phone giant Nokia Corp released its camera phone Lumia 1020 in China on Thursday, in a bid to boost its image among Chinese customers and increase overall sales in the country, a senior executive said.

"Any brand needs to have something to show that they have great innovation. This product is our opportunity in China to move up in consumers' minds again," said Erik Bertman, Nokia China's newly appointed general manager.

"It can drive up our brand value, so consumers can perceive our products in a stronger way, which is good for the overall sales of our whole portfolio in China," Bertman said in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, where Nokia launched the smartphone, about a month after the product was unveiled in New York.