On June 10, this reporter had the privilege of engaging in a candid conversation with Ren Zhengfei, the CEO of Huawei, at the company's headquarters in Shenzhen. Our discussion delved into topics of significant public interest. When queried about the primary challenges faced by Huawei, Ren Zhengfei responded that difficulties are an inherent part of human history, with each era presenting its own set of hurdles. He highlighted that China stands at an advantageous position in the realm of low- and mid-end chips, with numerous chip companies, ranging from dozens to hundreds, actively contributing to advancements, particularly in the field of compound semiconductors.
Regarding silicon-based chips, Ren Zhengfei explained that Huawei has been able to meet current demands through innovative strategies such as leveraging mathematics to compensate for physical limitations, employing non-Moore's Law principles to augment Moore's Law, and harnessing the power of cluster computing principles. Furthermore, he emphasized that software is not a bottleneck, as it is fundamentally built upon mathematical graphical symbols, code, and cutting-edge algorithms. The true obstacle, according to Ren Zhengfei, lies in education and the development of a robust talent pipeline.
Looking ahead, Ren Zhengfei predicted that China will witness the emergence of hundreds, if not thousands, of operating systems in the future. These systems will play a pivotal role in propelling advancements across various industries, including industry, agriculture, and healthcare.