Huawei, headquartered in Shenzhen on the Chinese mainland, faces a major technical hurdle: its advanced chips are currently one generation behind U.S. rivals. But CEO Ren Zhengfei remains unfazed, betting that science and patience will pay off.
Ren’s remarks, published in People’s Daily, arrive as U.S. and Chinese officials hammer out trade talks where tech controls loom large. He tells readers, “there’s no need to worry about the chip problem,” signaling confidence in Huawei’s long‐term strategy.
Ren says, “Our single chip is still behind the U.S. by a generation,” and outlines strategies to close the gap. Huawei is leveraging advanced mathematical principles to “supplement physics,” combining non‐Moore’s Law methods with traditional Moore’s Law scaling. The company is also using cluster computing—linking multiple chips to boost performance. Its AI CloudMatrix 384 system, which integrates 384 Ascend 910C chips, has been noted for rivaling, and in some tests outperforming, leading competitors.
Central to these efforts is Huawei’s deep commitment to basic theoretical research. Ren reveals that nearly one‐third of the company’s 180‐billion‐yuan annual R&D budget is dedicated to foundational work that isn’t judged by immediate benchmarks. “Without theory, there will be no breakthroughs, and we will not catch up with the U.S.,” he emphasizes.
This patient, science‐first approach reflects Ren’s leadership philosophy: focus on the work, tune out external noise, and advance step by step. He likens investing in basic research to cultivating deep roots—essential for long‐term technological growth.
For young global citizens, business and tech enthusiasts, and changemakers alike, Huawei’s strategy offers a powerful lesson: tackling big challenges requires both innovative thinking and unwavering commitment to scientific discovery.
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Huawei is bridging chip gap with science and patience, says CEO
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