Chinese tech giant Huawei is intensifying its efforts to recruit domestic talent and strengthen basic research amid tightening US sanctions.
During a visit to Sichuan University on June 5, Huawei's founder and CEO Ren Zhengfei outlined the company's plans to collaborate more closely with Chinese universities to address critical technological challenges (via South China Morning Post).
Exhibition of technology, innovation and startups Viva Technology Porte de Versailles in Paris, France, May 22, 2024. Viva Tech. Huawei. Photo by RICCARDO MILANI/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images
Huawei Is Looking to Boost 'Basic Research'
SCMP tells us that Ren's visit to Sichuan University in southwestern China is part of a broader strategy to bolster Huawei's research capabilities. He emphasized that the company highly values the role of talent in driving technological innovation and aims to achieve breakthroughs in key fields.
This initiative is particularly significant as Huawei continues to grapple with escalating export restrictions imposed by the US since the company was blacklisted in 2019.
In response to these sanctions, Huawei has prioritized talent acquisition through initiatives such as the "Top Minds" program, later rebranded as "Genius Youth."
This recruitment drive focuses on attracting individuals who have won prestigious research honors or produced impactful research results. Ren's efforts include extensive university tours to identify and recruit top talent.
Ren's focus on basic or pure research, which advances theoretical knowledge rather than pursuing specific products, aligns with Chinese President Xi Jinping's call for greater emphasis on basic research. This approach aims to build a strong foundation for future technological innovations.
Huawei's commitment to research and development has led to significant technological advancements, despite the challenges posed by US sanctions.
Last year, Huawei revived its smartphone business in China with the launch of the Mate 60 series, featuring a new chip design that appeared to circumvent US efforts to restrict access to advanced semiconductor technology.
These smartphones, powered by the Kirin 9000s chips from Huawei's HiSilicon subsidiary, were the first 5G devices the company had released in three years. The launch was celebrated in China, boosting Huawei's sales and helping it regain its position among the top five smartphone brands in the country.
In addition to smartphones, Huawei has been actively developing artificial intelligence (AI) chips to meet the domestic market's needs. SCMP reports that the company's latest Ascend 910B AI chip has shown impressive performance, reportedly being 20% more efficient than Nvidia's A100 when training large language models. This development is crucial for Huawei, as US export controls have limited access to Nvidia's most advanced graphics processing units.
Financially, Huawei has shown resilience in the face of sanctions. The company reported a substantial earnings increase, with net profit rising to 87 billion yuan ($12 billion) and revenue increasing by nearly 10% to 704.2 billion yuan ($97.4 billion). These gains were driven by strong sales and product advancements, particularly in the cloud and digital divisions, as well as from the sale of several businesses.
Huawei's recent product launches, including the Pura 70 series, have been met with strong demand. The Pura series, which features sophisticated camera technology and stylish designs, sold out its Pro and Ultra models on the launch day, starting at 5,499 yuan ($760).
In May, the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced plans to prohibit Huawei, ZTE, and other telecoms from approving wireless technologies in the country, citing potential national security threats.