Huawei’s CEO, Ren Zhengfei, addressed the challenges facing the company in light of U.S. export restrictions at a recent conference in Beijing. He candidly acknowledged that Huawei’s semiconductor technology currently trails its U.S. competitors by a generation. However, during an interview with People’s Daily, Ren expressed optimism about their path forward, highlighting the company’s emphasis on innovative solutions and foundational research to address these challenges.
Ren reassured stakeholders by stating there’s “no need to worry about the chip problem,” indicating confidence in Huawei’s strategic direction amidst ongoing U.S.-China trade discussions that spotlight technology barriers. He noted the importance of advanced mathematical techniques to complement physical advancements, attempting to bridge the technology gap through unique computational methods. A prime example is Huawei’s AI CloudMatrix 384 system, which utilizes 384 Ascend 910C chips and reportedly shows competitiveness with systems such as Nvidia’s.
Central to Huawei’s strategy is a significant investment in theoretical research, with about one-third of its annual R&D budget, equating to $25 billion, allocated to foundational studies that may not yield immediate results. Ren underscored the necessity of theoretical groundwork, stating “without theory, there will be no breakthroughs.” This approach encapsulates his philosophy of persistent improvement, focusing on quality work and gradual progress to secure the future of China’s technology landscape.
Source: news.cgtn.com
