The entrance of China Mobile in the new Millward Brown ranking of the world's most valuable and powerful global brands puts it ahead of the likes of Google and Toyota, with Vodafone the UK's biggest brand coming in at 16.
The new ranking is an attempt to give companies a better understanding of the significance of their products.
The emergence of China Mobile at number four in the league, will cement increasing focus by international firms on the Chinese market.
China Mobile is valued at £39.6bn, slightly more than half of software giant Microsoft's £62bn and just behind Coca-Cola's £40.4bn.
Vodafone is worth £24bn as the leading UK brand, which puts it at $16bn globally, followed by Tesco on $15.5bn at 30 and HSBC worth $13.8bn.
Millward Brown Optimor, the company's specialist financial arm, interviewed 650,000 consumers globally to provide measures of brand equity for more than 30,000 brands.
The WPP Group-owned market research firm claims that the new Brandz Top 100 ranking is unique because it is the first to combine consumer research with public financial data to measure the contributions brands make to the bottom line.
Additionally, the ranking focuses on "market facing" brands as opposed to corporate brands and measures product contribution and momentum.
According to Millward Brown, the value of consumer facing brands is increasing and can often be a company's most valuable asset.
Andy Farr, executive director at Millward Brown Optimor and lead researcher on the study, said: "This is the first study that goes beyond financial data and 'expert opinion' to include in-market insights about a brand's strengths and momentum from potential customers.
"It proves that investing in brands is key to a company's long-term success."
Bob Meyers, global CEO of Millward Brown, said: "We have built our organisation by helping clients make better brand decisions.
"While this ranking is interesting in itself it is important to remember that it is even more useful when it leads to business decisions."
BrandZ Top 10 (value in $m)
1. Microsoft 62,039
2. GE 55,834
3. Coca-Cola 41,406
4. China Mobile 39,168
5. Marlboro 38,510
6. Wal-Mart 37,567
7. Google 37,445
8. IBM 36,084
9. Citibank 31,028
10. Toyota 30,201
BrandZ Top 10 UK (value in $m) position globally
1. Vodafone Group 24,072 16
2. Tesco 15,532 30
3. HSBC&²Ô²ú²õ±è;£13.889 48
4. Orange 9,431 62
5. BP 5,47 83
6. Barclays 5,070 88
7. Asda (Wal-Mart) 4,650 96
8. Lloyds TSB 4,097 n/a
9. O2 3,929 n/a
10. Marks & Spencer 3,255 n/a
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