Shenzhen-based Huawei is one of the world’s leading suppliers of telecommunications networks and has a presence in 170 countries (WANG ZHAO)

Beijing (AFP) – Chinese tech giant Huawei overtook Apple to become the second-largest smartphone seller in the world in 2018.

It remains a privately held company, and little is known about its reclusive founder Ren Zhengfei, a former Chinese army engineer who rarely speaks to the media. 

The company was dragged into the spotlight late last year when Ren’s daughter and senior Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou was arrested in Canada at the request of the United States. 

AFP takes a look at the company’s history: 

– Ex-soldier founder – 

Ren founded Huawei in 1987 with a few thousand dollars. 

In a rare interview with selected foreign media earlier this year, Ren said he only saw his children for one month a year while in the military. 

After founding Huawei he worked 16-hour days, with barely any time for his family. 

“Especially my youngest daughter, I was even more distant from her. So all I can say is, as a father, I feel I owe them,” according to a transcript of the interview. 

– Number 2 smartphone maker –

The Shenzhen-based company is one of the world’s leading suppliers of telecommunications networks and has a presence in 170 countries. 

It is the second-largest smartphone manufacturer in the world after Samsung Electronics, having overtaken Apple in 2018, and is ranked 72nd on the Fortune Global 500.

The company expects sales revenue of $108.5 billion in 2018, rotating chairman Guo Ping said in a New Year message to staff in December. 

– Government links? –

Ren remains Huawei’s president but there are concerns that his former role could mean close links with the military and government, which Huawei has consistently denied. 

The arrest of Ren’s daughter, Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou, has been characterised by Beijing as a means of keeping the company out of world markets. 

– 5G behemoth –

Fifth-generation mobile communications are the next milestone in the digital revolution, bringing near-instantaneous connectivity and vast data capacity.

They will enable the widespread adoption of futuristic technologies such as artificial intelligence and automated cars and factories — advances China is desperate to lead.

Huawei’s status as a leading world supplier of the backbone equipment for telecoms systems gives China an inside track for leading this field.

– Daughter, executive, heir? – 

Described as the “princess” of Huawei, Meng was a possible heir to the throne. 

She had quietly risen through the ranks at the firm, sparking speculation that she would one day succeed her father, making her one of the world’s top female corporate bosses.

Meng, who for unknown reasons took her mother’s surname, has been keen to stress her own “humble” beginnings, with Chinese media reporting that one of her first tasks involved secretarial work. 

– Blocked in countries – 

Over the past year, various countries have raised security concerns about Huawei’s technology, barring the firm from participating in the 5G network rollouts. 

This includes the US, Australia and New Zealand. 

Britain’s largest mobile operator BT said it would remove Huawei equipment from existing 3G and 4G network while several European Union countries, Japan and Canada are still examining the risks of using Huawei equipment. 

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