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Huawei’s ongoing response to the U.S. sanctions has become a cornerstone of its strategic development in the chip technology sector.
Speaking at the Connect 2024 conference, Xu Zhijun, Huawei’s Rotating Chairman, presented a vision of resilience and innovation, framing the U.S. restrictions as a driving force behind the company’s push for self-reliance, especially in AI, computing power, and semiconductors.
Huawei Driving Innovation Amid Sanctions
In his speech at the conference, Xu emphasized the critical role chip technology plays in the future of AI and computing.
How is #Huawei paving the way for all intelligence? Huawei Deputy Chairman & Rotating Chairman Eric Xu provided the answers in his opening keynote speech on Day 1 of #HuaweiConnect 2024 in Shanghai. Read his full speech here: https://t.co/cjrgfpKjT9 #InnovateForImpact #HuaweiNews pic.twitter.com/3KsuQKrT4C
— Huawei (@Huawei) September 20, 2024
Despite the challenges brought by the U.S. sanctions, which have restricted Huawei’s access to advanced chipmaking tools since 2019, the company has made significant strides.
When the United States imposed sanctions on Huawei in 2019, Huawei led the world only in 4G/5G and mobile phone business, but Huawei's phones used Qualcomm's chips, Android operating system and many American components, and Huawei's 4G/5G devices also have many components from… pic.twitter.com/46r9tnkdsf
— DaiWW (@BeijingDai) June 15, 2024
In a recent development, Huawei introduced the Kirin 9000s chip in its Mate 60 Pro, marking a major milestone in the company’s journey towards technological self-sufficiency.
Xu added that computing power, which is essential for AI advancement, is directly tied to efficient chip technology, making innovation in semiconductors crucial for Huawei’s long-term growth.
Despite ongoing U.S. sanctions due to national security concerns, Xu views these restrictions as opportunities for growth. The tech giant aims to build a sustainable, self-reliant computing industry, utilizing innovation as its core strength.
Over time, the company has been leveraging innovation as a core strength to reduce its reliance on foreign components and enhance its capabilities in the AI and semiconductor sectors.
Shifting Away From Windows
Beyond hardware, Huawei is making strategic moves in the software sector also. The tech company plans to discontinue Windows in its next-generation PCs, opting instead for its in-house HarmonyOS.
During a live broadcast on September 20, Yu Chengdong, Chairman of Huawei’s Consumer Business, confirmed that future Huawei PCs will be equipped with HarmonyOS.
This decision comes as a direct response to the U.S. ban, which has restricted Huawei from accessing advanced software technologies.
US sanction Boomerang 🪃
Bye Bye Google, Bye bye Apple
Huawei Technologies may be close to succeeding where Microsoft, Samsung and Alibaba failed: fielding a formidable third mobile operating system to compete with Apple's iOS and the open-source Android… pic.twitter.com/1Le1sZAQb5
— StarBoySAR 🇭🇰 🇨🇳 🥭 (@StarboySAR) April 7, 2024
Huawei’s transition from Windows marks another step in its broader strategy of self-reliance.
The company is poised to release new laptops featuring HarmonyOS, signaling a significant shift in its product offerings and a push to free itself from foreign tech dependence.
