Huawei Technologies, founded in 1987 by former army engineer Ren Zhengfei, has grown into one of the world’s most influential and controversial technology companies. Headquartered in Shenzhen, China, the company started as a small telecom equipment supplier and evolved into a global leader in network infrastructure, smartphones, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence.
Huawei operates across multiple sectors. Its carrier business supplies telecommunications infrastructure such as base stations and network routers. This division helped Huawei become a dominant global provider of 4G and 5G network equipment. Its enterprise business offers IT solutions and cloud services to governments and corporations. Huawei also has a consumer electronics division, known for producing smartphones, tablets, laptops, and wearables. Although its smartphone sales were once second only to Samsung, U.S. sanctions severely affected this market. Huawei had to shift focus to other areas like HarmonyOS, its own operating system created after being cut off from Android services.
One of Huawei’s most strategic areas is chip development. The company designed its own Kirin processors for smartphones and later launched the Ascend series of AI chips, including the powerful 910 and 910B models. These chips play a key role in China’s ambitions for AI leadership. Huawei also launched its own cloud platform and continues investing in high-performance computing for industrial and government use.
Globally, Huawei operates in more than 170 countries and maintains research and development centers across Europe, Asia, and North America. It has signed contracts with major telecom providers and governments worldwide. Despite this international footprint, Huawei has faced increasing scrutiny, especially from the United States and its allies. In 2019, the U.S. Department of Commerce added Huawei to its Entity List, citing national security risks. This move banned American companies from supplying Huawei with essential technology, including software and semiconductors. A year later, the U.S. expanded restrictions to foreign suppliers using U.S. equipment or software, further cutting Huawei off from advanced chipmaking capabilities.
The company has also been accused of maintaining close ties to the Chinese government and military. Several Western countries have banned or restricted Huawei from participating in 5G infrastructure projects, citing espionage concerns. Huawei has repeatedly denied these allegations and emphasized its independence from government influence. Still, countries like the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada have moved to remove or block Huawei technology from their networks.
Despite these challenges, Huawei continues to push forward. In 2023, it surprised many analysts by launching the Mate 60 Pro smartphone, reportedly featuring a 7nm chip produced by China’s largest chipmaker, SMIC. This development suggested that Huawei and its partners are making progress in overcoming U.S. sanctions and achieving greater tech independence. The phone launch sparked debates over how Chinese firms may still access or replicate advanced semiconductor technologies.
Taiwan, home to the world’s largest contract chipmaker TSMC, has also taken action against Huawei. In 2025, Taiwan added Huawei Technologies and China’s top chipmaker SMIC to its export control list. Taiwanese firms must now obtain government approval before exporting products to these entities. This decision reflects growing fears in Taiwan that Chinese firms may steal technology or recruit top talent from its world-leading semiconductor industry. Taiwan has stated it will firmly protect its technological edge and national security.
Huawei plays a central role in China’s Made in China 2025 strategy, which aims to reduce foreign tech reliance. The company is crucial to the nation’s plans in 5G, AI, and advanced manufacturing. As geopolitical tensions continue and global demand for chips rises, Huawei Technologies remains a key player shaping the future of technology, competition, and international policy. Its ability to innovate under pressure, adapt to sanctions, and lead in emerging tech makes Huawei a powerful symbol of China’s technological ambitions and the complex dynamics of global supply chains.
