In a recent face-to-face dialogue at Huawei’s headquarters in Shenzhen, People’s Daily reporters Hu Jian and Chen Jiaxing sat down with Huawei founder and CEO Ren Zhengfei to discuss key topics of public interest. What emerged was a powerful reminder of how confidence, resilience, and a clear focus on science and innovation are shaping not just Huawei’s future — but China’s.

Getting Through Challenges, One Step at a Time

When asked how he copes with external pressures and technology blockades, Ren was candid:

“I don’t dwell on difficulties. Thinking about them is useless. I just keep going, one step at a time.”

Even with increased scrutiny on Huawei’s Ascend chips and warnings about their use, Ren emphasized that many Chinese chip companies are doing great work — and Huawei is just one of them. Despite still lagging behind the U.S. in single-chip performance, he remains optimistic: through innovative approaches like mathematical modeling, cluster computing, and bypassing traditional Moore’s Law, usable solutions can still be achieved.

What’s the real obstacle then?

“There are always difficulties. Weren’t there during the Stone Age? China still has many opportunities, especially in compound semiconductors.”

To him, the real bottleneck isn’t hardware — it’s education and talent development.

Praise and Criticism: Stay Grounded

Despite high praise, Ren welcomes criticism just as much:

“If people criticize us, it makes us more clear-headed. We make products — criticism is normal. As long as it's truthful, we welcome it.”

Ren believes it’s important not to overly idolize companies like Huawei, but instead to recognize and support theoretical researchers whose quiet contributions often take decades — even centuries — to materialize. They are, in his view, the real hope for China’s future.

On Basic Science and Strategic Patience

“Theoretical scientists are often alone. We must be patient and understand them.”

Ren passionately argues for increased investment in basic science — work that doesn’t yield results overnight, but is essential for a nation's long-term resilience. He points to historical examples, such as agronomist Luo Dengyi who studied the wild fruit Rosa roxburghii in the 1940s, now known as the "king of Vitamin C," which eventually became a profitable rural industry decades later.

Huawei itself invests heavily in this long-term vision: over 180 billion RMB annually in R&D, of which 60 billion is dedicated to basic research — with no performance KPIs.

“Without breakthroughs in theory, we’ll never catch up with the U.S.”

He mentions “Huang Danian’s Tea Room” — a platform inspired by a legendary scientist that provides free global tech information and fosters open academic cooperation. This is part of Huawei’s non-profit contribution to basic research and knowledge sharing.

Why Socialism Builds What Capitalism Won’t

Ren shares insights on infrastructure, innovation, and China’s development path:

“Why do only socialist countries build things that don’t make money? Because socialism aims to develop society.”

From high-speed rail and power grids to rural roads and water systems — none of these may be profit-generating, but they form the foundation of a modern, resilient society. This reflects the social value of state-owned enterprises, while market competition still drives innovation in the private sector.


AI and the Future: China's Unique Edge

“AI may be humanity’s last great technological revolution — or perhaps nuclear fusion.”

Ren believes China holds unique advantages in AI: a massive, youthful population; advanced electric grids; the world’s most developed communication networks; and massive government coordination.

“Don’t worry about chips. Through stacking and cluster computation, we can match leading performance. As for software, open-source will meet society’s needs.”

China’s manufacturing sector is already integrating AI faster than many others, producing local AI models rooted in practical industry applications. Algorithms, Ren notes, are no longer just in the hands of IT engineers but across sectors — from energy to medicine.

A Path Forward: Rule of Law and Openness

When asked what the private sector needs, Ren’s answer is simple:

“Legal governance and market order. The government should act according to the law, and companies should focus on value creation, technological breakthroughs, and paying taxes.”

His final thought?

“The more open a country is, the more it drives our progress.”

mr ren zhengfei huawei founder ceo
Mr. Ren ZhenFei - The Founder of Huawei

Final Thoughts

Ren Zhengfei’s reflections are not just about Huawei — they offer a window into China’s broader vision for its scientific and technological future. At the heart of it is a powerful message: real progress demands strategic patience, trust in theoretical science, and a development model that balances social good with technological advancement.

For nations — and innovators — navigating uncertainty in a complex world, this may be the perspective we all need.