According to the International Business Times, China Unicom threw down cash on 5 million phones. The carrier plans to sell an 8GB model for 2,400 yuan, which is a about $350, and a 16GB model for 4,800 yuan, which you could probably guess is around $700.

Though the article didn’t mention, I would assume Apple is selling China Unicom the iPhone 3G. Though there’s been some speculation about an 8GB 3GS, there still isn’t one made, and it’s certainly not like Apple to announce one by simply mailing it overseas.

What is clear is that Apple is planning on China becoming a huge market for their flagship device. Another 5 million phones in circulation is more than 10% growth over total figures, and that’s on the low end. It could be as high as 15-18%.

Previous talks between Apple and ‘China Mobile’ collapsed as Apple demanded a share of revenues from Telecom companies in all deals for the 1st Gen iPhone. However with the iPhone 3G, they have given up the revenue sharing system. This means that any carrier across the globe (including ATnT) needs to pay Apple its full price for the iPhone 3G. They may subsidise it later themselves.