Apple struck a long-awaited distribution deal on Sunday night with China Mobile, the world's largest mobile carrier, according to a press release on Apple's official website.

The iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c will be available from China Mobile's expansive network of retail stores as well as Apple retail stores across the Chinese mainland on January 17, 2014.

The deal had been expected following the Chinese government's grant of 4G network licences to its three main telecoms carriers, boosting the compatibility of the iPhone with China Mobile's networks.

"We are delighted that iPhone on China Mobile will support our 4G/TD-LTE and 3G/TD-SCDMA networks, providing customers with high-speed mobile service," said Xi Guohua, China Mobile Chairman.

The Chinese company had been teasing the launch of the iPhone in recent weeks, with a website run by its Beijing branch offering preorders of 4G phones.

"China is an extremely important market for Apple and our partnership with China Mobile presents us the opportunity to bring iPhone to the customers of the world's largest network," said Tim Cook, Apple's chief executive.

China Mobile is the world's largest mobile carrier with more than 750m customers - around 170m of which are on its 3G network - outstripping US carriers such as Verizon Wireless, which has around 100m connections.