On June 10th, the Communist Party's official newspaper, People's Daily, published an exclusive interview with Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei on its front page, titled "The More Open Our Country, the More Progress We Will Make — A Dialogue with Ren Zhengfei." Against the backdrop of the current intensifying Sino-US technological competition, this rare front-page appearance by state media featuring a private entrepreneur sends a political signal that top leaders are strengthening independent innovation and re-emphasizing the role of private enterprises.
The interview with the official Chinese Communist Party newspaper was conducted in a question-and-answer format. Ren Zhengfei, maintaining his characteristic calm and restrained style, repeatedly mentioned keywords like "difficulties" and "basic research." He emphasized, "Don't dwell on the difficulties; just get on with it, moving forward step by step." The word "difficulties" appears over 10 times in the article, while "theoretical scientists" and "basic research" are mentioned approximately 6 to 7 times each.
Faced with external technological blockades and chip restrictions, Ren Zhengfei bluntly stated that Huawei still has gaps in chips, but through methods such as "mathematics supplementing physics" and cluster computing, it can still meet application needs. He admitted that the real challenge lies not in the technology itself, but in the development of the education system and talent pool. He pointed out, "Our education system still lacks some guidance for the spirit of scientists."
"Enthusiasm" mobilization cannot replace institutional support
Xu Haoran (pseudonym), a veteran Hebei media professional, believes that the interview, published amidst the backdrop of ongoing tensions in Sino-US technological relations and the tightening of the US chip ban on China, signals a political intent to "incentivize private tech companies to innovate and start businesses." In an interview with Radio Free Asia on Wednesday (the 11th), he said, "Ren Zhengfei's statement of 'just do it,' to some extent, resembles Mao Zedong's call to 'work hard and strive for excellence,' attempting to overcome real difficulties through spiritual inspiration. However, the experience of that time also shows that slogans cannot replace systematic support."
The interview emphasized the importance of basic theoretical research. Ren Zhengfei cited multiple examples to illustrate the value of "loneliness" and "long-termism" in scientific research. From agronomist Luo Dengyi during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, to Nobel laureate Tu Youyou, to scientist Huang Danian, their long-term commitment has become symbolic of national scientific and technological progress. Ren Zhengfei revealed that of Huawei's 180 billion yuan annual R&D investment, 60 billion yuan is dedicated to basic research, regardless of short-term returns, demonstrating the company's strategic patience for the future.
Huawei's role as a "model enterprise" is difficult to replicate universally
Science and technology policy scholar Chen Zhijia (pseudonym) noted that while this interview focuses on private enterprises, it actually conveys the country's renewed commitment to "national scientific research." He told this station, "Ren Zhengfei's pragmatic approach is admirable, but Huawei's success is inseparable from the government's long-term investment and policy support. Applying his experience to ordinary private enterprises is biased." Chen Zhijia believes that Ren Zhengfei's current role is similar to Rong Yiren's in the early days of reform and opening up: a "model force" that benefits from the influx of national resources.
Huawei's role as a "model enterprise" is difficult to replicate universally
Science and technology policy scholar Chen Zhijia (pseudonym) noted that while this interview focuses on private enterprises, it actually conveys the country's renewed commitment to "national scientific research." He told this station, "Ren Zhengfei's pragmatic approach is admirable, but Huawei's success is inseparable from the government's long-term investment and policy support. Applying his experience to ordinary private enterprises is biased." Chen Zhijia believes that Ren Zhengfei's current role is similar to Rong Yiren's in the early days of reform and opening up: a "model force" that benefits from the influx of national resources.
Technological competition extends to discourse system
Beyond its policy implications, the interview also implicitly conveys a narrative of "institutional confidence." For example, Ren Zhengfei mentioned that American columnist Thomas Friedman once praised the efficient operation of China's high-speed rail system, using it as an example to illustrate China's relative advantages in infrastructure, power, and communications. While the tone was restrained, this section reveals the CCP's official intention to incorporate institutional competition into the technological narrative.
The WeChat public account "Border Town Butterfly Dream" published a commentary that day, claiming that the People's Daily, through Ren Zhengfei's words, signaled that "the state has not given up on private enterprises," reinforcing the view that private enterprises remain the main force in technological breakthroughs. However, some scholars pointed out that the top leadership's true strategic focus has not shifted to supporting private enterprises, but rather remains the coordinated development of key core technologies through state power. Ren Zhengfei's interview seemed more like a public statement conveying the message of "unity and overcoming difficulties together."
Reaffirming the significance of "doing our own thing well"
In fact, Ren Zhengfei has been the subject of numerous high-profile interviews with official media, including a full-page feature in the People's Daily in 2019. An anonymous scholar believes that this front-page interview with Ren Zhengfei goes beyond the scope of an entrepreneur's remarks. It not only demonstrates China's approach to the current global technological competition but also sends a political signal from the top leadership that China is strengthening technological independence and reaffirming its institutional strengths. Faced with technological blockades and global decoupling, Beijing's reiteration of "taking care of its own affairs" through Ren Zhengfei's voice is not only a gesture but also a form of internal mobilization.
