(Telecompaper) ZTE announced that it shipped over 56 million smartphones in 2015, up 16 percent from the previous year. The growth was driven by the Chinese company's overseas expansion, with sales outside China up more than 70 percent. ZTE said it sold 15 million smartphones in the US, growing over 30 percent annually and breaking into the top four providers. The sales figures were issued alongside the company's annual report, which was delayed several weeks due to US-imposed export restrictions on the company's suppliers. ZTE has since agreed conditions to suspend the restrictions, including a reshuffling of its top management.