Ren Zhengfei is included in the 'Perspective' section not only because he founded Huawei, but because of the determination and foresight he showed in desperate circumstances. Starting a business at 43, facing technological blockades and market monopoly, he chose the hardest path—independent innovation. This choice was not impulsive but based on deep insight into industrial laws. His vision is reflected in not chasing short-term gains but linking the company's fate with national technological self-reliance. This archive records not a success story, but a business philosophy of adhering to long-termism in adversity.

In 1987, at age 43, Ren Zhengfei founded Huawei in Shenzhen with 21,000 RMB amid unemployment and debt. Initially, Huawei survived by reselling foreign switches, but Ren recognized that without independent technology, the company would always be controlled by others. He decisively abandoned the agency business and invested all resources into independent R&D. In 1993, Huawei successfully developed the C&C08 digital switch, breaking Western monopoly and laying the foundation for China's telecom self-reliance. Since then, Huawei has invested over 10% of annual revenue in R&D, with cumulative investment exceeding 1.249 trillion RMB in the past decade, and R&D spending in 2024 reaching 179.7 billion RMB, over 20% of revenue. ^{[1] [2] [7]}

Ren Zhengfei's business philosophy centers on long-termism and independent innovation. He insists on not listing the company, refusing capital manipulation, and sharing most equity with employees, holding less than 1% personally. Facing external sanctions, he remains calm and restrained, leading the team to focus on technological breakthroughs. Huawei has made continuous progress in 5G, intelligent computing, and digital energy, with HiSilicon chips, HarmonyOS, and Ascend AI forming the core resilience. Ren emphasizes that 'core technology must be firmly in our own hands,' a principle that has guided Huawei throughout its development. ^{[3] [5] [6]}

Ren Zhengfei, with his low-key and pragmatic style and unwavering determination, has become a benchmark for Chinese entrepreneurs. He led Huawei from a small reseller to a tech giant serving over 170 countries and regions, safeguarding the digital lives of 3 billion people. Under extreme pressure, Huawei not only survived but achieved breakthroughs in multiple fields, demonstrating the resilience of China's tech industry. Ren's personal shareholding of less than 1% truly practices the 'striver-oriented' philosophy, and his long-termism and industrial commitment provide an important reference for the business world. ^[1] [7]

The business proposition Ren Zhengfei leaves behind is: how can an enterprise achieve sustainable development through independent innovation amid globalization headwinds and technological blockades? His 37 years of practice provide the answer—adhering to long-termism, investing in core technology R&D, and not wavering under external pressure. His era-defining significance lies in proving that Chinese enterprises can stand on their own in global competition, setting a benchmark of 'technological self-reliance' for future generations. This spirit and vision are a precious legacy beyond business itself.