How Huawei Faces Future Challenges
— Huawei President Ren Zhengfei Discusses Huawei's Technology Strategy
By Thought Trends
【Editor’s Note: Huawei's President, Ren Zhengfei, engaged in a discussion with ICPC participants, emphasizing adaptability and innovation as core strategies for future challenges. Ren highlighted the importance of embracing new technologies and global cooperation to stimulate progress and competitiveness. He acknowledged that while artificial intelligence and technological advancements will shift job markets and societal structures, continuous learning and openness can offset potential job scarcity. Ren stressed the need for resilient talent nurtured through a balance of practical experiences and societal engagement. Huawei's global initiatives, such as supporting international competitions and fostering cultural exchanges, align with Ren's technological inclusivity and cross-border collaboration vision. Despite sanctions and geopolitical constraints, Ren believes in open innovation and drawing lessons from global models like the U.S., underlining that adaptability, societal contribution, and strong educational frameworks are essential for navigating the complexities of the future.】
On October 31, the official website of ICPC's Beijing headquarters released a summary of a discussion between Ren Zhengfei (任正非), Huawei's president, and ICPC's chairman, coaches, and award-winning participants. According to the website, the International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC) is one of the world's largest programming competitions for college students, with multiple competition sites established within China. During the discussion, in response to questions from participants from different countries, Ren Zhengfei talked about artificial intelligence and technological development in various nations and shared his views on entrepreneurship and talent cultivation.
The Discussion Between Ren Zhengfei and ICPC's Chairman, Coaches, and Award-Winning Participants
October 14, 2024
Host: Welcome to the ICPC Foundation Chairman, esteemed coaches and students, and experts and leaders present today. This is our second discussion here; last year, we held the first Huawei ICPC Challenge Cup, and this year marks the second. Before the competition, we have this wonderful opportunity to converse and freely exchange ideas.
Ren Zhengfei: Thank you all for visiting Huawei today. We are honored to host you here. I am not very familiar with the specifics of the competition but feel free to ask questions, and I will do my best to answer.
1. Question: Mr. Ren, hello. We had a delightful conversation when we met last year. I noticed that we share a similar belief—that young people should come together to shine brightly. You mentioned then that you hope we can meet and talk with students from China and different parts of the world. Thank you for giving us this opportunity today. I don't have a specific question; I'd mainly like to hear your opinions about our community and any insights you might have.
Ren Zhengfei: Thank you for visiting today. You are like "seeds" who can take what we discuss back to your countries, where they can take root, blossom, and bear fruit. Together, we can promote the development and prosperity of human society.
2. Question: I'm from Japan, and this is my first time at the Huawei ICPC Challenge Cup. I am very pleased to participate in such a global event. In Japan, students also have the opportunity to participate in ICPC, especially those who excel in programming. However, I want to share a concern about competitive programming: these students often write small pieces of code in a very short time, and they might lose interest in applying their abilities to solve real societal problems—how to use programming skills to improve human IT applications. The Huawei ICPC Challenge is excellent because it allows them to understand global issues of interest. I am very happy that Japanese students are invited to participate in today's discussion and the challenge. I hope this can continue in the future, perhaps with longer time frames.
Ren Zhengfei: Japan is a great nation, whether in material science, precision components, precision machinery manufacturing, or even in areas like Ichiran Ramen and Hakata Ramen—it's a world leader. In the era of artificial intelligence, Japan can become even more advanced.
Although there may be few Japanese participants today, we've made friends. You can stay in touch via email and other means; the world has become very small. You can communicate and share anytime, anywhere, using electronic methods. This era has accelerated. As you know, when Europe invented trains and ships, their speed increased, while China was still slowly moving with ox carts, without even complete roads. That's why the West led China by hundreds of years during the industrial age. But in today's information age, the world has become smaller. An entrepreneur once said that the world has become a village where villagers can drink coffee together and absorb cosmic energy. We might be thousands of miles apart, sharing coffee time remotely, each drinking a cup in front of our screens, and cosmic energy can still enter everyone's mind. You've also made excellent young friends worldwide. Today, the speed of information also signifies the pace of economic development in a region.
Huawei will do its best to continue supporting such competitions—not just ICPC but other international university competitions in mathematics, physics, chemistry, information technology, and more. We will continue to organize and participate in such activities to contribute to societal development. These activities benefit the world and promote the circulation of fresh ideas within our company. With a cup of coffee absorbing cosmic energy, we can absorb energy from each other. Together, let's make efforts for a prosperous world.
3. Question: It's a rare opportunity to meet you. Everyone here understands the format of our challenge; many of our participants have been involved for three to five years. May I ask, what do you think is the greatest challenge humanity faces today? If Huawei or ICPC can help, what contributions can we make to solve significant challenges together?
Ren Zhengfei: Russia is a truly remarkable country. It excels in mathematics, physics, and chemistry, like France, the United States, and other nations. Therefore, the ICPC competition helps promote cultural, scientific, and technological exchanges between different countries. I must thank Nika—seven or eight years ago, I had a cup of coffee with her by the Moscow River. At the time, I didn't know this young lady was a leader of ICPC. It was from then that I became acquainted with ICPC and began strengthening our connections, leading to deep cooperation in recent years. Before that, I didn't know about ICPC; I only knew that Russia had many world champions in computer programming.
From the perspective of current global development and the common challenges facing humanity, the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence benefits society but also brings pressure. Nations require employment; enterprises seek development—there's a contradiction here, but it's a societal issue, not something we should worry about. Our concern as a company is how to use technology to promote social progress. Balancing society is a problem for governments to solve. In the course of human development, any progress brings challenges. For example, when textile machinery was invented in Britain, textile workers wanted to destroy the machines, but that didn't stop societal progress. Today, most of the high-end fabrics we wear are still produced in Britain; the base of the precision textile industry remains there. As technical experts, we cannot solve social problems. We can promote technological advancement and create more wealth, but how society distributes it is a matter for governments to consider.
4. Question: I'm from Romania. Perhaps our country is not yet very advanced in the digital world. I'd like to learn about Huawei's story—for example, stories of critical decisions you've made at pivotal moments. Could you share some with us?
Ren Zhengfei: Romania is a beautiful country. Your delta wetlands are a paradise—the most beautiful. Scientifically and technologically, you are a great nation. Our English-speaking technical center is established in Romania. For instance, in some remote villages around the world, when a base station engineer is installing equipment, he wears smart glasses that can show him where to connect cables and which wires go where. After installing the base station, he takes a photo next to it and sends it to our technical center in Romania. Experts at the technical center automatically inspect the image to see if the lines are correctly installed. If everything is correct, they can load the software. In this way, in remote places thousands of kilometers away, base station equipment can be activated. The information of the on-site engineer is recorded in the archives for subsequent equipment maintenance.
Our Spanish-speaking technical center is in Mexico, and the Arabic-speaking center is in Egypt. We solve communication problems for customers in different countries through global services. Instead of setting up local centers in every country—which would be costly—we rely on remote services made possible by advanced telecommunications and intelligent technologies. We can determine whether the equipment is correctly installed without visiting the site, observing remotely from thousands of kilometers away.
5. Question: I'm also from Romania. I know that Huawei has many research centers globally, and they speak different languages. Do you think language is a barrier that prevents Huawei employees in different locations from communicating efficiently or sharing information? How does Huawei address this language barrier?
Ren Zhengfei: When they drink coffee, they might use their local languages, but in work, everyone uses English—including Russian, Arabic, African, and Chinese employees. So, in our work, there's only one standard language: English. Everyone speaks English very well, except me.
6. Question: I'm from France. As the younger generation, we need to continually push the frontiers of technology. What we're doing now might have already been achieved. How can we drive research frontiers forward? Huawei has made significant contributions in this regard. I'd like to hear your views on promoting technological frontiers.
Ren Zhengfei: First, during Napoleon's era, France established itself as a nation built on mathematics, so French mathematics was very strong. We have two mathematics research institutes in France: one focuses on photography—photography is primarily mathematics, not just physics; the other is the Lagrange Mathematics Center. Some Fields Medal winners work there, and others collaborate with the institute. They study mathematical problems that may arise in computing over the next 10 to 20 years, not just immediate issues. France is a very forward-looking and leading nation.
Secondly, you see that Huawei's products are very beautiful—who dressed them so nicely? Our aesthetics research institutes in France and Italy participated in this work. More than 20 years ago, we established this aesthetics institute in France. Today, everyone sees our beautiful products; some are designed in France. France's understanding of luxury is profound. Additionally, we have an aesthetics institute in Italy, which is actually more like an art institute in France. Aesthetics is a philosophy; the Italian institute studies the philosophy of beauty, human factors engineering, and marketing psychology. They research key factors of human experience and psychology to design products that the public will accept. We don't mechanically manufacture a product; we design it through research and deduction in psychology and aesthetics, then realize it through mathematics, physics, electronics, and so on. Only by making good products can we contribute to the world.
Regarding forward-looking issues, from the past industrial revolution to the intelligence revolution, challenges will arise. The primary philosophy of the Industrial Revolution was metaphysics and mechanical materialism, producing many theorems and formulas that enabled Europe, Japan, and others to create excellent engineering machinery serving the world. In the future, entering the information world requires higher philosophical levels to study the realization of the world. I don't understand artificial intelligence. Yuval Noah Harari talks about the emergence of the soul in his books, which are too advanced, speaking of things two thousand years ahead—perhaps suggesting that AI will generate intelligent souls. If AI can recreate itself, what will happen to humanity? How far can the frontier go? I don't know. But I believe that in the next thirty years, it won't happen; we'll still rely on humans to create the world, just with fewer people.
7. Question: I'm from Peking University. I have two questions. First, regarding education for the next generation, what reforms do you think should be made to the current education system? Second, we have a concern: all of us here are the best students. In education, we face a balance and a dilemma. If we teach the best students even better, will it cause students in remote or underdeveloped areas to fall further behind? How should we achieve this balance? How can education develop evenly?
Ren Zhengfei: I believe children must be happy and spirited, discovering their potential in joy. The education system should be more tolerant of children, allowing for appropriate differentiation. With today's advanced networks, rural areas can use online platforms for education, bridging the knowledge gap. They can also learn about the world's most advanced developments. With advanced computing tools, much knowledge is accessible; children mainly need to learn methodology. Students should be happy and mentally at ease for society to be peaceful. Not everyone can create for society, but everyone should abide by laws and contribute something. Only a few outstanding people may become pillars of society; these people study hard, live hard, and endure hardships throughout their lives. They ignite sparks for the new world, holding torches to illuminate it, bearing more responsibilities.
I highly support certain prestigious schools' admission criteria. Their first two interview questions are: "Have you cared for orphans? Have you cared for the elderly living alone?" If not, you haven't fulfilled social responsibility. These top universities cultivate enterprise leaders, national leaders, and social leaders. If you don't love society and only aim to make more money, you're a destroyer of social values, not a builder.
I support electronic exams that can be taken anywhere in the world. You can use computers or other tools to help solve problems. To confirm learning ability, assessments can be conducted through interviews, which can also be done electronically. Currently, we emphasize old methods—rote memorization—consuming children's energy to remember unnecessary things, which can be easily searched online. Yesterday, someone told me that some ten-year-old kids use ChatGPT on one hand and Doubao on the other, discussing a problem with two AI models and essentially debating with themselves. Won't such children potentially be future geniuses?
Our society should allow all kinds of children to grow up happily. Each child should have at least one hobby in music, dance, sports—that would be wonderful. Education must enable children to have joyful spirits; happiness is not centered on money. Most people are happy at work without comparing wealth or causing themselves mental stress. Such an education system can gradually harmonize society, reducing conflicts and making society better. That's my simple understanding.
8. Question: I started participating in ICPC in 2017 and am now pursuing a Ph.D. abroad. As a contestant and coach, I feel that Huawei's support for the competition has been significant over the past two or three years. In your view, what are your thoughts on talents with competition backgrounds, and what are your expectations for their future? Why does Huawei value competition so much?
Ren Zhengfei: Earlier, I mentioned the admission standards of certain prestigious schools. Their students generally have high exam scores, but they don't just look at grades. An important criterion is to love society. Our support for competitions has no ulterior motives; we hope to strengthen more exchanges. The things we create, such as EulerOS, HarmonyOS, and some open-source software, are all open. Like the U.S., we have many open and open-source things to promote technological progress. HarmonyOS and EulerOS are open-source. Some systems we open but don't open-source; most we both open and open-source. Our main goal is to promote exchange. After communication, if you feel it's useful for your country or society, you can request teaching materials. But the materials aren't ours; they belong to the copyright holders, like Peking University, Tsinghua University, etc. When they give you the materials, you may need to respect their copyrights. They are also open.
We mainly embody the value of openness and promote social progress. Of course, in this process, we also absorb energy from you, which promotes our changes. We often look at various information from society and learn from external sources. Not long ago, after watching Eric Schmidt's speech at Stanford University, we established many "small, agile assault teams" to promote artificial intelligence. The term "small, agile" was coined by Schmidt. A few days ago, we studied NVIDIA's Jensen Huang's speech in a Goldman Sachs interview, listening to what he said. Of course, we also listen to what you young people are saying.
Therefore, we engage in social exchange, not entirely for personal gain. We always need to provide support and contribute to society. This contribution benefits both others and us. You put significant pressure on us, which helps break down our internal "feudal fortresses."
9. Question: First of all, thank you very much for your guidance; you are a good example. How can we help students develop themselves in this process to become future leaders? Huawei was once a local Chinese company and later became a global leader, operating in more than 100 countries and regions. How do you develop talent? You have over 200,000 employees who speak different languages. Do you have any projects or technologies to help them—for example, categorizing them to cultivate different skill combinations? There are many talented people here today who have built social connections by sitting together and getting to know each other. I'd like to understand Huawei's secret in talent cultivation—how do you help young talents become the next generation of pillars through such projects?
Ren Zhengfei: Our numerous competence centers and research centers worldwide were gradually established after 20 or 30 years of exploration. Einstein invented the theory of relativity in his twenties, and after more than a hundred years, this theory was proven correct. When Einstein was at Princeton University, he longed to have coffee with others because he was too lonely. He couldn't create continuously, filling his life with formulas. When he had coffee with others, he couldn't understand what they were saying because he was unfamiliar with society. Similarly, when we have coffee with young people today, we might not understand what they're saying because they are the new generation with different expressions. Likewise, others didn't know what this great man meant by "gravitational fields." They didn't understand each other, but at least they had coffee together, and Einstein alleviated his loneliness. We also understood the world after 20 or 30 years of exploration.
We don't understand the language of Fields Medal mathematicians. When I communicate with them in Paris, I bring a translator—not an English translator, but a technical translator. But even when technical experts explain to me, I don't fully grasp the mathematical problems the professors are discussing or the implications of these graphs for the future. But we allow them to "talk nonsense" and continue to provide funding support. One day, we might find that their "nonsense" makes sense, leading to reforms in our products. We didn't understand what the new generation said or made before, but gradually, we understood—like listening to a deity tell stories without knowing what they mean, slowly practicing and gradually comprehending. We then slowly combine these understandings, which requires a fairly long time for mutual understanding; there's no secret to it.
10. Question: I'm from the United States. Huawei is a global enterprise that is now caught in major power disputes and may continue to be affected in the future. How have you been able to progress step by step to achieve your current technological strength?
Ren Zhengfei: Regardless of how the world disputes, theories are open because scientific research knows no borders. What borders are engineering and technology? In engineering and technology, companies might not be open. For example, Germany's high-speed rail brake pads have no papers or patents. If China wants to buy brake pads, we need to send the old ones to Germany, and only then will they sell us new ones.
The United States is a country with highly developed science and technology, benefiting from its openness and inclusiveness. Over the past two hundred years, the U.S. has transformed from a very backward country into a highly developed one due to its openness and inclusiveness. Talents from around the world innovate in the U.S., bringing cultural, social, and technological diversity and creating a great America. The U.S. has set an example for all countries and companies worldwide: one must be open; closing off leads to backwardness. Huawei needs to learn from the U.S. in terms of openness and inclusiveness.
11. Question: I'm from Belarus. I'd like to know how you arrange your personal time. I know your free time is also very important. How do you schedule your personal time?
Ren Zhengfei: My biggest shortcoming is that I don't have personal hobbies. As a child, I was rather mischievous, wandering here and there. Due to poor family economic conditions, I didn't develop real hobbies. If you must ask about my hobbies, my leisure time is spent in solitude. Sometimes I read books or go online, see what young people are saying, so when I talk to them, they know I understand their language and are willing to have coffee with me. I learn online lingo to comprehend the young generation's language system, enabling me to converse with them.
12. Question: Hello, I'm from Poland. Today, I saw practical applications related to remote control in Huawei's exhibition hall. Many countries don't allow the use of such technologies. My question is, when encountering such regulatory issues, how can technology better develop and benefit society?
Ren Zhengfei: Our databases are in local countries and are subject to local regulations. You mentioned remote control. We operate data locally and must obtain permission from the country and local operators. They have to open gateways for us to provide services. We act under the supervision of these countries, not arbitrarily.
Poland is strong in mathematics—a great country. Besides Madame Curie, Copernicus, Chopin, and Banach, there are many great scientists. That's why we established a research institute in Poland, which is also strong. I'm not very familiar with their specific business, but I know Jan Madey, Vice President of the University of Warsaw. He's a strong coach, as recommended to me by Shen Xiangyang. We met not long ago.
13. Question: President Ren, hello. I'm very curious—what is it like to start a company? Is it fun? If young people want to start a business, what opinions and advice would you give them?
President Ren: If, back when I transitioned from the military to civilian life, I had been given a minor official position, perhaps I wouldn't have started a business. Entrepreneurship isn't about having fun; it's often a last resort when life leaves you no choice. Starting a business means solving the problem of feeding your wife and children. If your family has nothing to eat, entrepreneurship is anything but enjoyable. Those were very tough times—we couldn't make money and had nowhere to turn. So, starting a business isn't about seeking happiness.
If young people wish to start a business, they must be unwavering in their ideals, even if it means ending up as beggars. The founder of ByteDance (字节跳动) faced great difficulties in the early days—trying one thing here and another there, struggling to find a way forward, nearly falling into a dire situation. But ultimately, ByteDance became one of the world's greatest companies. So, entrepreneurship isn't fun; it's what you do when you have no other path.
14. Question: Hello, I'm from Sweden. I'd like to understand your views on the future of AI. Will it replace human jobs as a tool, giving people more time to enjoy life?
President Ren: The global trend toward artificial intelligence is unstoppable. The advancement of chips, computing power, and various technologies has ushered in the era of intelligence, much like Britain's invention of trains, textile machinery, and steamships marked a turning point in history. Today's turning point is the application of artificial intelligence. If you have the chance to visit Tianjin Port in China, you'll see that from loading ships, transportation, and stacking to customs clearance, there's hardly a person in sight across over a hundred square kilometers. Steelmaking used to be grueling work with intense heat; now, there's no one in front of the blast furnaces or rolling mills. In the past, we had to scoop out molten steel to test its composition; now, wearing special glasses, you can determine whether the molten steel meets standards. As for coal mining, hundreds of meters underground, we can now use artificial intelligence to extract coal.
This era will certainly reduce the demand for human labor, but the total wealth created will increase, allowing society to support those who are laid off. Those who don't work may receive less money; those who do work earn more. Technological progress increases overall social value, not diminishes it. Any country can only achieve a reasonable distribution of social wealth when the total wealth is increasing. This is a social issue; what we're discussing is a technical one.
15. Question: Huawei has faced sanctions from the United States in recent years. As technological development progresses, regional competition and conflicts are intensifying. What role do you think Huawei will play in the future?
President Ren: The vast majority of companies haven't been sanctioned by the United States. Open innovation is the main global trend. American technologies and tools are excellent—why not use them? We absolutely should. Huawei can't use them, so we have no choice but to create our own tools. Open innovation, leveraging others' advanced achievements, is the real path forward for a company.
Question 16: Hello, I am from Bulgaria. It is foreseeable that future job opportunities will be scarce. In such an environment, how can we encourage students to become part of the fortunate ten percent who secure employment?
Ren: The roses in Bulgaria are truly beautiful. What you’ve mentioned is indeed a likely scenario—the window for generating income and creating opportunities is narrowing. However, those present here today will not be without work; as long as you adapt, are reasonable, and are passionate about what you do, you will find employment. Adapting to new societal challenges requires continuous learning. But can someone still lead a fulfilling life even if they don’t find a job? Certainly. Aren’t Australians living contentedly? They have abundant resources, incomes, sunshine, and beaches—they are happy. How do the Chinese find happiness? By enhancing the quality of education and adapting to the trends of societal development.
Question 17: I am from Argentina. The world has grown smaller; it is now possible to have coffee with people from around the globe. However, I’ve noticed that during the pandemic, students participating in online classes were more reserved than they would be in person. Huawei is highly international, and I’m sure your teams are spread out globally. My question is: what differences do you see between remote work and everyone working in the same location? How do you perceive face-to-face communication versus virtual communication?
Ren: Argentina is a beautiful country. I’ve been there many times. I’ve tasted Argentine beef and wine—the wine is affordable and of excellent quality.
Face-to-face communication is undoubtedly better than online interactions, but the world cannot always facilitate in-person meetings, so online communication is here to stay. For instance, our company’s accounting operates across three time-zone hubs: China, Romania, and Mexico. Initially, our accounting center was in Argentina due to low costs, and many accounting centers were based there, serving global needs. Digitalization has substantially reduced transportation and communication expenses. Huawei’s commitment to globalization has already addressed this, even in countries like Brazil, where the legal system is notoriously complex—so complex that even lawyers struggle. After two decades, we finally managed to profit in Brazil by implementing intelligent ERP management and replacing manual processes with digital ones to navigate the intricate legal landscape. Once you get used to virtual communication, it is manageable.
Face-to-face interactions are beneficial, but relying solely on them can lead to insularity, eventually turning into isolation. It’s better if you remain where you are, and I stay where I am, and we share a coffee virtually; your coffee smells fragrant, as does mine. I particularly love Colombian coffee—so much so that I once returned to my hotel for a second cup. In Ireland, a scientist insisted on working from his hometown rather than Dublin, so we built a research institute there just for him, complete with a director and secretary. The polar coding for 5G was an extraordinary invention for humanity; the inventor, a Turkish professor, published a paper online, which we studied and applied to 5G technology. The polar code propelled 5G into a significant industry, and we invested heavily in its engineering.
Question 18: Hello, Mr. Ren. I’m from Tsinghua University. I’ve heard you mention that life pressures influenced you during the early days of entrepreneurship. Throughout this journey, various cosmic forces may have guided you to different places. Huawei, as an entity, faces real-world constraints. I’m curious: in an ideal world where you could freely pursue anything, what would you most want to do, or what would your ideal life look like? What makes you happiest?
Ren: I envy you—you’ve never known hunger. We did. Our dreams were once as simple as eating a steamed bun. Today, you can have one whenever you want for dinner, but we couldn’t back then.
I started my business at a time of great transition: China was shifting from a planned economy to a market economy. We transitioned from military service to civilian life without understanding how to make a living. Even basic employment was tough as it required market savvy. We assumed the market economy held infinite opportunities. Starting the company wasn’t driven by lofty ideals but by survival—finding a way to have enough to eat. It was life under pressure, without regrets or alternatives, and we had no choice but to move forward. Dreams were not part of that equation.
Even now, I can’t claim we’re out of the woods. While 99% of Chinese companies can collaborate with the U.S., avoiding sanctions, we remain under restrictions. Their chips are more powerful, and they can buy better components. Can we survive the next few years? Despite our gathering today, thinking we share grand dreams, we are still in the thick of the struggle. The tone of our internal conversations is far different, focused on overcoming myriad obstacles.
I admire all of you. Why? Because in my youth, I couldn’t dream of Tsinghua—just attending any college was a triumph, let alone Tsinghua or Peking University. The possibilities were unimaginable. Now, you have these opportunities and should take on the mission of creating a new destiny for humanity. You face an unparalleled window of opportunity. Embrace your social responsibilities; whether you become social, governmental, or corporate leaders, always contribute to society. Wealth alone should not bring joy—building a better world requires collective effort. I am envious of your youth and the quality of education you are receiving.
Question 19: Hello, Mr. Ren. I am from Mexico. A few months ago, our school staged an exceptional play about a pastor who came to China to preach and, in turn, learned valuable lessons from Chinese culture. I believe that people are more open and willing to learn from others now. What do you think we should learn from Chinese culture?
Ren: Mexico is a remarkable country. I’ve been to Cancún multiple times with my wife and marveled at the Mayan pyramids, though I still don’t fully grasp the Mayan civilization. I believe Mexican and Chinese civilizations can create new value together.
Chinese civilization, like many others, has commonalities with world cultures. Historically conservative, it has endured over five millennia precisely because of this conservatism. But without external forces, conservatism fails to generate new energy. Deng Xiaoping’s reform and opening up brought in external energy, and China quickly adapted to global practices.
Cultural clashes are not conflicts of interest but sparks of value. When Western innovations like trains and steamships were adopted by China, progress followed. Take a ride on China’s high-speed rail—it’s fast. The advancement of Chinese high-speed rail reflects the integration of global knowledge. Two months ago, my wife and I visited Guizhou to see bridges; six of the ten tallest bridges in the world are there. These bridges, along with high-speed rail and highways, have transformed Guizhou’s rugged landscape (once described as “shattered mountains and rivers,” referring to its fractured valleys and the saying, “there’s not a flat piece of land for three miles”) into elevated fertile ground.
Cultural interactions should not be about one dominating another but about mutual learning and creating new value, cultivating happy environments within national boundaries. A century ago, when UN laws did not fully delineate national borders, conflicts were rampant. Today, with clearly defined borders, civilizations should collaborate to create new value instead of seizing land through conflict.
Different civilizations should cooperate to generate value rather than seek to replace one another. Each country should develop its own culture while using trade as an equalizing bridge, promoting openness through free global trade. This is the essence of world civilization blending together.
Question 20: Mr. Ren, in our country, due to the education system, primary and secondary students face restrictions when engaging in research or participating in competitions, as these can affect their academic performance and limit future educational opportunities. What are your thoughts on this? Should younger students prioritize competition and research or focus on maintaining strong academic performance?
Ren: I am not an expert in education, so I’m unsure how to advise you.
Let me share an example. Have you heard of Li Juan, the author of My Altai (《我的阿勒泰》)? Sometimes, I listen to her essays at night before bed; they’re like a lullaby, and I drift off to sleep listening. Li Juan didn’t have money for school; she collected scraps with her grandmother, learning to read from the discarded newspapers. She’d circle words and piece together sentences—this was her initiation into language. She only has a middle school education, yet she has won nearly every major literary award in China. Her books are recited and widely read. If not for the TV drama adaptation of My Altai, I wouldn’t have known her. After watching it, many people bought her books, drawn by her beautiful writing.
How are talents cultivated? It isn’t necessarily through academic excellence.
I can’t say how best to study, but I believe the most important thing for a child is discovering their strengths and growing around them. Don’t worry about fixing every weakness—if it can’t be fixed, so be it. Take Zheng Qinwen, for example, who excels in tennis and sings well. She found her focus and broke through without needing to be well-rounded. Wang Xinyu didn’t think she’d make the Olympics; she packed away her tennis gear, only to be called an hour before the match to substitute, and she ended up winning a mixed doubles silver medal. Opportunities exist, but without steady preparation, they go to waste.
Question 21: Hello, Mr. Ren. I joined Huawei last year and got to know the company through the ICPC Challenge. In the workplace, if I aspire to become a research department head or even reach your position, what opportunities should I seize, or what qualities should I develop?
Ren: Haha, I can’t answer that. How do you reach my position? I imagine you will one day because I will eventually pass away, and someone will need to take my place. Whether it’s you, I don’t know. How do you set this course? You might need to search for that roadmap!
Question 22: Huawei has advanced technology capable of supporting remote conferences. Do you prefer remote or face-to-face meetings?
Ren: Both are fine. When we hold meetings, participants often join online, and my first question is, “Are you there? Can you hear me?” If they confirm, we proceed. Whether in-person or virtual, if coffee is involved, enjoy it to the fullest. Getting together to share a coffee is a rare pleasure, so make the most of it!
Feel free to visit often. If you’d like to have coffee with me, just schedule an appointment. I don’t have many pressing matters; as long as my secretary manages my time, I’m available to have coffee with anyone. Don’t hesitate—while gatherings of this size are rare, one-on-one meetings are more frequent. Thank you all for coming!
Source: Yicai Global News (第一财经资讯)