London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Wednesday, Jul 30, 2025

'Dare to Lead the World': Huawei CEO Calls on Staff to Focus on Software Amid US Sanctions

'Dare to Lead the World': Huawei CEO Calls on Staff to Focus on Software Amid US Sanctions

The Chinese tech giant was placed on an export blacklist by former US President Donald Trump in 2019 and was denied access to essential US-origin technology, limiting its ability to design its own chips and procure components from outside suppliers. The Biden administration has given no hint that it will reverse the imposed sanctions.

Ren Zhengfei, the founder of Huawei Technologies, has urged the company's employees to "dare to lead the world" in software development as the company aims to expand beyond its hardware activities, which have been crippled by US sanctions.

Reuters reported on Monday, citing an obtained internal memo, that the company's strategy reveals the reaction to the enormous strain that sanctions have exerted on the company's core handset market.

Ren reportedly said in the memo that the company was concentrating on software because future growth in the sector is fundamentally "outside of US control and we will have greater independence and autonomy."

Since advanced hardware will be difficult for Huawei to manufacture in the near future, the company should concentrate on developing software ecosystems, such as its HarmonyOS operating system, Mindspore cloud AI system, and other IT products, according to the document.

Ren's memo also stated that the company's tech drive would be contingent on discovering the right business model and that it should take an open-source approach, encouraging employees to "absorb nutrients" through open source communities.

He also stated that the company's Welink business communication platform used conventional software licensing, which he reportedly claimed was unsuitable for cloud computing and inferior to a competing product from rival tech giant Alibaba.

The previously mentioned US blacklist has also prevented Google from offering technical support for new Huawei phone models, as well as access to Google Mobile Services, a set of developer services that underpins most Android apps.

Given the difficulties of operating in the US, Ren's note recommended that the organization improve its role at home and expand its territories, with the aim of eventually excluding the US, according to the report.

"Once we dominate Europe, the Asia Pacific and Africa, if US standards don't match ours, and we can't enter the US, then the US can't enter our territory," the memo said.

According to Reuters, the note confirmed previous hints from the company's top management that it would shift its main focus away from handset hardware. Eric Xu, the company's rotating chairman, announced in April that the company will spend more than $1 billion on its intelligent driving systems this year.

Earlier the media reported that Huawei is extending its smart car collaboration with state-owned Chongqing Changan Automobile Co Ltd to include the design and development of auto-use semiconductors.

Apart from the sanctions, Huawei is known for its demanding work environment, and the note reportedly suggested that the tech teams employ psychologists to assist young hires who might find the organization emotionally difficult.

"Now some young people have high IQs, but their EQ might be low, and their mentality is not mature, and it's easy for them to get sick," Ren said.

Presenting its annual report for 2020, Huawei did not break down how much of its 891.4 billion yuan (around $138 billion) revenue came from its software.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Former Judge Charged After Drunk Driving Crash Kills Comedian in Brazil
Jeff Bezos hasn’t paid a dollar in taxes for decades. He makes billions and pays $0 in taxes, LEGALLY
China Increases Use of Exit Bans Amid Rising U.S. Tensions
IMF Upgrades Global Growth Forecast as Weaker Dollar Supports Outlook
Procter & Gamble to Raise U.S. Prices to Offset One‑Billion‑Dollar Tariff Cost
House Republicans Move to Defund OECD Over Global Tax Dispute
Botswana Seeks Controlling Stake in De Beers as Anglo American Prepares Exit
Trump Administration Proposes Repeal of Obama‑Era Endangerment Finding, Dismantling Regulatory Basis for CO₂ Emissions Limits
France Opens Criminal Investigation into X Over Algorithm Manipulation Allegations
A family has been arrested in the UK for displaying the British flag
Mel Gibson refuses to work with Robert De Niro, saying, "Keep that woke clown away from me."
Trump Steamrolls EU in Landmark Trade Win: US–EU Trade Deal Imposes 15% Tariff on European Imports
ChatGPT CEO Sam Altman says people share personal info with ChatGPT but don’t know chats can be used as court evidence in legal cases.
The British propaganda channel BBC News lies again.
Deputy attorney general's second day of meeting with Ghislaine Maxwell has concluded
Controversial March in Switzerland Features Men Dressed in Nazi Uniforms
Politics is a good business: Barack Obama’s Reported Net Worth Growth, 1990–2025
Thai Civilian Death Toll Rises to 12 in Cambodian Cross-Border Attacks
TSUNAMI: Trump Just Crossed the Rubicon—And There’s No Turning Back
Over 120 Criminal Cases Dismissed in Boston Amid Public Defender Shortage
UN's Top Court Declares Environmental Protection a Legal Obligation Under International Law
"Crazy Thing": OpenAI's Sam Altman Warns Of AI Voice Fraud Crisis In Banking
The Podcaster Who Accidentally Revealed He Earns Over $10 Million a Year
Trump Announces $550 Billion Japanese Investment and New Trade Agreements with Indonesia and the Philippines
US Treasury Secretary Calls for Institutional Review of Federal Reserve Amid AI‑Driven Growth Expectations
UK Government Considers Dropping Demand for Apple Encryption Backdoor
Severe Flooding in South Korea Claims Lives Amid Ongoing Rescue Operations
Japanese Man Discovers Family Connection Through DNA Testing After Decades of Separation
Russia Signals Openness to Ukraine Peace Talks Amid Escalating Drone Warfare
Switzerland Implements Ban on Mammography Screening
Japanese Prime Minister Vows to Stay After Coalition Loses Upper House Majority
Pogacar Extends Dominance with Stage Fifteen Triumph at Tour de France
CEO Resigns Amid Controversy Over Relationship with HR Executive
Man Dies After Being Pulled Into MRI Machine Due to Metal Chain in New York Clinic
NVIDIA Achieves $4 Trillion Valuation Amid AI Demand
US Revokes Visas of Brazilian Corrupted Judges Amid Fake Bolsonaro Investigation
U.S. Congress Approves Rescissions Act Cutting Federal Funding for NPR and PBS
North Korea Restricts Foreign Tourist Access to New Seaside Resort
Brazil's Supreme Court Imposes Radical Restrictions on Former President Bolsonaro
Centrist Criticism of von der Leyen Resurfaces as she Survives EU Confidence Vote
Judge Criticizes DOJ Over Secrecy in Dropping Charges Against Gang Leader
Apple Closes $16.5 Billion Tax Dispute With Ireland
Von der Leyen Faces Setback Over €2 Trillion EU Budget Proposal
UK and Germany Collaborate on Global Military Equipment Sales
Trump Plans Over 10% Tariffs on African and Caribbean Nations
Flying Taxi CEO Reclaims Billionaire Status After Stock Surge
Epstein Files Deepen Republican Party Divide
Zuckerberg Faces $8 Billion Privacy Lawsuit From Meta Shareholders
FIFA Pressured to Rethink World Cup Calendar Due to Climate Change
SpaceX Nears $400 Billion Valuation With New Share Sale
×