In a recent conversation with Chinese students and scholars, 80-year-old Ren Zhengfei suggested that Huawei needs to learn from the receptive culture of the United States, which has helped the country achieve scientific and technological progress.

The conversation was published on October 31st on the website of the International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC).

"The U.S. has set an example for all countries and companies around the world in terms of openness," he said at the event sponsored by Huawei. "If a country closes itself off, it will fall behind."

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Ren Zhengfei stated that Huawei had no choice but to develop its own tools due to US sanctions. (Photo: Xinhua)

Huawei has been banned from purchasing hardware, software, and services from US high-tech suppliers since May 2019, when it was added to Washington's trade blacklist.

Trade restrictions imposed by the U.S. government in 2020 further limited the company's access to advanced semiconductors developed or manufactured using American technology, regardless of where they were produced.

Since then, Huawei has transformed into a flagship in China's efforts to achieve technological self-reliance, from AI chips to operating systems.

In 2023, Huawei shocked the market by launching a series of smartphones featuring advanced processors manufactured entirely domestically.

The mainland giant is also gradually reducing its dependence on Google's Android with its own "homegrown" HarmonyOS platform.

The company is also developing AI chips to replace Nvidia's.

According to Chinese media, Huawei is preparing to launch a new smartphone – the Mate 70 – this month. If the information is accurate, it is the latest evidence that the company is gradually regaining the advantage it lost to Apple and Samsung.

According to research firm CINNO, in August, for the first time in 46 months, Huawei's smartphone sales surpassed those of the iPhone.

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Huawei CEO Yu Chengdong speaks at the HarmonyOS NEXT launch event on October 22 in Shenzhen, China. Photo: Xinhua

According to SCMP sources, Huawei ordered 50% more components for the Mate 70 than for the Mate 60. The company is ready to release more than 1 million Mate 70 units in the first batch.

According to sources, Huawei has sold approximately 12 million Mate 60 units since the device went on sale in August 2023.

Linda Sui, senior director at research firm TechInsights, commented that the Mate 70 will be Huawei's third flagship to use a domestically produced chip, further solidifying the company's position in the high-end Chinese smartphone segment.

HarmonyOS, a completely separate operating system from Android, allows for deeper integration between hardware and software, giving it a distinct advantage over its domestic competitors.

Speaking about AI at the event, Mr. Ren called it an "unstoppable" trend. "Similar to how trains, textiles, and ships created historical turning points, AI applications are creating turning points for our time."

The founder of Huawei admitted they "are still facing difficulties."

"To this day, we still can't say for sure whether we can survive or not," he said, emphasizing that Huawei lacks access to newer chips and technologies compared to its competitors.

"American technology and tools are excellent... but Huawei cannot use them; we have no choice but to create our own tools," he said. "Expanding innovation and utilizing the advanced achievements of others is the real way forward for a business."

Mr. Ren frequently expressed his admiration for the United States and Apple.

He identified himself as an Apple fan in a conversation with last year's ICPC contestants.

At an internal meeting in 2021, he urged employees to learn about science and technology from the United States.

(According to SCMP and Yahoo)