Huawei

Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd., often just called Huawei, is a big technology company from China. It was started in 1987 in a city called Shenzhen by a man named Ren Zhengfei, who used to be in the People's Liberation Army. Huawei makes many kinds of products, including equipment for phone networks, smartphones for people to use, systems for self-driving cars, and solar power systems for roofs.

The company grew very fast and now works in more than 170 countries around the world. It became the biggest maker of telecommunications equipment in 2012, passing another company called Ericsson. By 2025, Huawei was the top smartphone seller in China. Most of its business comes from selling equipment to the Chinese government.

However, Huawei has faced some problems in other countries. Some people worry that because Huawei is so close to the Chinese government, its equipment might be used for spying. The United States and a few other countries have put restrictions on Huawei, saying they are concerned about national security. Huawei says these worries are not based on real proof. Despite these challenges, Huawei keeps working on new technologies and trying to grow around the world.

Etymology

The name Huawei comes from a slogan that the company's founder, Ren Zhengfei, saw on a wall. The slogan, Zhonghua youwei, means "China has achievements." Zhonghua or Hua means China, and youwei means "promising" or "to show promise." In Chinese pinyin, the name is Huáwéi.

The company once thought about changing its English name because it might be hard for non-Chinese speakers to pronounce. But they decided to keep the name and instead started a brand recognition campaign to help people say it closer to "Wah-Way." Ren Zhengfei said they would teach foreigners the right way to say it and not let them say it like "Hawaii."

History

Huawei expo at IFA 2018 in Berlin

In the 1980s, China worked to improve its telecommunications network. In 1987, Ren Zhengfei founded Huawei in Shenzhen with a small amount of money from himself and five other investors. Ren aimed to create a Chinese company that could compete with foreign technology leaders.

Huawei began by selling and improving telephone switches. By the 1990s, it started making its own technologies and expanded into new markets. In the late 1990s, Huawei began growing internationally, building networks in Africa and the Middle East. The company opened research centers in India and formed partnerships with other technology firms. Over the years, Huawei has become a major player in telecommunications and consumer electronics, continually investing in research and development.

Corporate affairs

Huawei describes itself as a "collective" company. Its founder and CEO, Ren Zhengfei, has the final say in all important decisions. The company has a board of directors, with Liang Hua serving as the chair.

Huawei was started in 1987 as a business owned by its employees. While it claims to be employee-owned, some experts debate this, noting that employee shares cannot be sold and do not give employees control over the company. Others argue that the employees truly own the company. In 2021, Huawei did not fully report its ownership in Europe as required by law.

	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024
Total revenue (CNY¥ bn)	721	858	891	636	642	704	862
Operating profit (CNY¥ bn)	73.2	77.8	72.5	121	42.2	104	79.3
Net profit (CNY¥ bn)	59.3	62.6	64.6	113	35.5	86.9	62.5
Total assets (CNY¥ bn)	665	858	876	982	1,063	1,263	1,290
References

Partners

Huawei P9 was the first smartphone to be co-engineered with a Leica camera.

By the start of 2010, around 80% of the world's top 50 telecom companies had worked with Huawei. In 2016, Huawei teamed up with German camera company Leica to put special Leica cameras into Huawei smartphones, starting with the Huawei P9. Later, Huawei worked with other companies like Gentle Monster to make smartglasses, Devialet to create a speaker called the Sound X, and TomTom to build its own mapping service, Petal Maps.

Products and services

Huawei offers a wide range of technology products and services. In telecommunications, they provide equipment for mobile and fixed networks, including advanced systems for managing internet services. They also develop software for these networks and offer services to help companies improve their operations.

Huawei creates many consumer devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and wearable watches. They also make laptops and personal computers, as well as software for these devices. In recent years, Huawei has expanded into new areas like making computer chips and working on technology for cars. They also provide solutions for solar energy systems, helping to support clean energy around the world.

A Huawei Band 7 fitness tracker in Wilderness Green colour

Main article: HiSilicon

Main article: List of Huawei phones

Huawei Mate 80 Pro Max

The Huawei P30 with rear triple-lens Leica optics camera

Main article: EMUI

Competitive position

Huawei has grown to become a major player in the global technology market by offering competitive telecommunications equipment at lower prices than its rivals. In 2012, it became the world's largest maker of telecom equipment and China's biggest producer of telephone-network equipment. Huawei has been very successful in creating new technology, holding thousands of patents worldwide and leading in the number of patent applications in some years.

As of 2023, Huawei is the leading manufacturer of 5G equipment, responsible for building about 70% of the world's 5G base stations. The company invests heavily in research and development, spending around $22.1 billion in 2024—more than 22% of its sales. Huawei has research centers in many countries and works with universities to advance technology and innovation.

Controversies

Huawei has faced several allegations and concerns regarding its operations and relationships. Some claim that its products might contain hidden pathways, known as backdoors, that could be used for spying by the Chinese government. Huawei and its executives have denied these claims, stating that they have not received any such requests from the Chinese government and that Chinese laws do not require them to install backdoors.

The company has also been accused of having strong ties to the Chinese government and military. Some experts believe that due to China's national laws and political influence, Huawei may be compelled to assist Chinese intelligence agencies when requested. These concerns have led various countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and others, to restrict Huawei's involvement in their critical communication networks, citing national security risks. Despite these challenges, Huawei continues to operate globally, developing a wide range of technology products.

Sanctions, bans, and restrictions

United States

Further information: United States sanctions against China

In 2018, a U.S. law was passed that stopped the government from using equipment from Huawei and another company called ZTE, saying it might not be safe. Huawei tried to fight this law in court, but the court said the U.S. government was allowed to make this rule.

In 2019, the U.S. government added Huawei to a special list. This meant that U.S. companies could not work with Huawei without special permission. Many U.S. companies quickly stopped working with Huawei to follow the new rule.

The U.S. later added more rules to stop Huawei from getting certain types of technology, including important parts for making phones and other devices. These rules made it harder for Huawei to make and sell its products.

Other countries

Other countries have also made their own rules about Huawei. For example, Taiwan stopped its government and mobile networks from using Huawei equipment in 2013. Japan stopped giving Huawei government contracts in 2018.

Some countries, like Vietnam and Brazil, have changed their minds about Huawei over time. Vietnam originally decided not to use Huawei for its 5G network but later allowed the company to supply equipment in 2025. Brazil also changed its mind and allowed Huawei to take part in its 5G projects in 2021.

In 2022, Canada decided to stop using Huawei and ZTE equipment in its 5G network, following advice from the U.S. and other allies. Australia and New Zealand have also restricted or banned Huawei products.

In 2024, Germany made a plan to remove Chinese 5G equipment, including Huawei’s, by the year 2029. In 2025, Taiwan added Huawei to its list of companies that cannot send certain products out of the country.

Chinese view

Many people in China think that the distrust and rules against Huawei from Western countries are not fair. Because of this, there is strong support in China for Huawei, which helps the company stay strong in competitions with U.S. technology companies.