Huawei Chairman: Network Services Play a Role in Preventing the Spread of COVID-19

Interview with SCMP... "Huawei currently operating at over 90% production capacity"

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Young-shin] Ren Zhengfei, chairman of Huawei, stated that "Huawei's production and development are currently operating at over 90% capacity." Ren made this remark in an interview with the South China Morning Post (SCMP) in Hong Kong on the 26th (local time).

He reported that aside from Hubei Province, no company personnel have been infected with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), and that confirmed patients are recovering.

He added, "All employees are working hard to prevent a global communication shutdown," and said, "As the COVID-19 pandemic accelerates, internet services will be increasingly necessary." He emphasized that network services such as telemedicine and online learning will play a crucial role in curbing the spread of COVID-19.

COVID-19 has now spread to 170 countries, with more than one-fifth of the world's population staying at home.

Ren announced that this year, Huawei will invest $20 billion (approximately 2.5 trillion KRW) in research and development (R&D), an increase of $5 billion compared to last year.

Ren also addressed U.S. sanctions, stating, "Survival as a company is not an issue, but whether Huawei can maintain its leading position is questionable," and added, "If we cannot develop Huawei's own technology, we will not be able to lead the world in the next 3 to 5 years." This is interpreted as a determination to lead the market through technological development despite U.S. sanctions against Huawei.

Ren said, "U.S. companies will also need Huawei as a customer," and added, "No company can be an exception to globalization."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.