Huawei
Huawei Connect 2021 begins
Chinese telecom giant Huawei's annual flagship event for the global ICT industry – "Huawei Connect 2021"– began recently.
The event will continue till October 31. The theme of this year is "Dive into Digital."
Huawei Rotating Chairman Eric Xu opened the event with the keynote speech "Innovating Nonstop for Faster Digitalisation".
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This year's event explores how digital technology can better integrate with business scenarios and industry know-how to address critical challenges, and how stakeholders can work together more effectively to foster an open industry ecosystem and drive shared success.
It will dive deep into the practical application of technologies like cloud, AI, and 5G in all industries, and how they can make organisations of all shapes and sizes more efficient, more versatile, and ultimately more resilient.
The event is scheduled to have four keynotes, five summits, and 66 sessions, featuring more than 200 speakers, including industry visionaries, business leaders, top tech experts, and ecosystem partners. It will be live-streamed in 11 languages on Huawei's corporate website and by its media partners.
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"Digital development relies on digital technology. For digital technology to stay relevant, we must continue to innovate and create value. Cloud, AI, and networks are three critical digital technologies," Xu said.
At the event, Xu launched the industry's first distributed, cloud-native service called UCS – a ubiquitous cloud-native service available on Huawei Cloud.
With UCS, Huawei plans to provide enterprises with a consistent experience while using cloud-native applications that are not constrained by geographical, cross-cloud, or traffic limitations, thereby accelerating digital transformation in all industries, according to a media statement.
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Canadians released after Huawei CFO resolves US charges
Two Canadians detained in China on spying charges were released from prison and flown out of the country on Friday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said, just after a top executive of Chinese communications giant Huawei Technologies reached a deal with the U.S. Justice Department over fraud charges and flew to China.
The frenetic chain of events involving the global powers brought an abrupt end to legal and geopolitical wrangling that for the past three years has roiled relations between Washington, Beijing and Ottawa. The three-way deal enabled China and Canada to each bring home their own detained citizens while the U.S. wrapped up a criminal case against a prominent tech executive that for months had been mired in an extradition fight.
The first activity came Friday afternoon when Meng Wanzhou, 49, Huawei’s chief finance officer and the daughter of the company’s founder, reached an agreement with federal prosecutors that called for fraud charges against her to be dismissed next year and allowed for her to return to China immediately. As part of the deal, known as a deferred prosecution agreement, she accepted responsibility for misrepresenting the company’s business dealings in Iran.
About an hour after Meng’s plane left Canada for China, Trudeau revealed that Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor were also on their way home. The men were arrested in China in December 2018, shortly after Canada arrested Meng on a U.S. extradition request. Many countries labeled China’s action “hostage politics.”
“These two men have been through an unbelievably difficult ordeal. For the past 1,000 days, they have shown strength, perseverance and grace and we are all inspired by that,” Trudeau said.
News of Meng’s pending return was a top item on the Chinese internet and on state broadcaster CCTV’s midday news report, with no mention made of the release of Kovrig and Spavor.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian reposted on social media a report on Meng having left Canada, adding “Welcome home.”
Video was also circulated online of Meng speaking at Vancouver International Airport, saying; “Thank you motherland, thank you to the people of the motherland. You have been my greatest pillar of support.”
The deal was reached as President Joe Biden and Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping have sought to tamp down signs of public tension — even as the world’s two dominant economies are at odds on issues as diverse as cybersecurity, climate change, human rights and trade and tariffs. Biden said in an address before the U.N. General Assembly earlier this week that he had no intention of starting a “new Cold War,” while Xi told world leaders that disputes among countries “need to be handled through dialogue and cooperation.”
“The U.S. Government stands with the international community in welcoming the decision by People’s Republic of China authorities to release Canadian citizens Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig after more than two-and-a-half years of arbitrary detention. We are pleased that they are returning home to Canada,” U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.
As part of the deal with Meng, which was disclosed in federal court in Brooklyn, the Justice Department agreed to dismiss the fraud charges against her in December 2022 — exactly four years after her arrest — provided that she complies with certain conditions, including not contesting any of the government’s factual allegations. The Justice Department also agreed to drop its request that Meng be extradited to the U.S., which she had vigorously challenged, ending a process that prosecutors said could have persisted for months.
After appearing via videoconference for her New York hearing, Meng made a brief court appearance in Vancouver, where she’d been out on bail living in a multimillion-dollar mansion while the two Canadians were held in Chinese prison cells where the lights were kept on 24 hours a day.
Outside the courtroom, Meng thanked the Canadian government for upholding the rule of law, expressed gratitude to the Canadian people and apologized “for the inconvenience I caused.”
“Over the last three years my life has been turned upside down,” she said. “It was a disruptive time for me as a mother, a wife and as a company executive. But I believe every cloud has a silver lining. It really was an invaluable experience in my life. I will never forget all the good wishes I received.”
Shortly afterward, Meng left on an Air China flight for Shenzhen, China, the location of Huawei’s headquarters.
Huawei is the biggest global supplier of network gear for phone and internet companies. It has been a symbol of China’s progress in becoming a technological world power — and a subject of U.S. security and law enforcement concerns. Some analysts say Chinese companies have flouted international rules and norms and stolen technology.
The case against Meng stems from a January 2019 indictment from the Trump administration Justice Department that accused Huawei of stealing trade secrets and using a Hong Kong shell company called Skycom to sell equipment to Iran in violation of U.S. sanctions. The indictment also charged Meng herself with committing fraud by misleading the HSBC bank about the company’s business dealings in Iran.
The indictment came amid a broader Trump administration crackdown against Huawei over U.S. government concerns that the company’s products could facilitate Chinese spying. The administration cut off Huawei’s access to U.S. components and technology, including Google’s music and other smartphone services, and later barred vendors worldwide from using U.S. technology to produce components for Huawei.
The Biden White House, meanwhile, has kept up a hard line on Huawei and other Chinese corporations whose technology is thought to pose national security risks.
Huawei has repeatedly denied the U.S. government’s allegations and security concerns about its products.
Meng had long fought the Justice Department’s extradition request, with her lawyers calling the case against her flawed and alleging that she was being used as a “bargaining chip” in political gamesmanship. They cited a 2018 interview in which then-President Donald Trump said he’d be willing to intervene in the case if it would help secure a trade deal with China or aid U.S. security interests.
Last month, a Canadian judge held off on ruling whether Meng should be extradited to the U.S. after a Canadian Justice Department lawyer wrapped up his case saying there was enough evidence to show she was dishonest and deserved to stand trial in the U.S.
Comfort Ero, the interim Vice President of the International Crisis Group, Kovrig’s employer, said they have been waiting for more than 1,000 days for the news.
“Michael Kovrig is free. To Beijing: We welcome this most just decision. To Ottawa: Thank you for your steadfast support for our colleague. To the United States: Thank you for your willingness to support an ally and our colleague. To the inimitable, indefatigable, and inspiring Michael Kovrig, welcome home!” Ero said in a statement.
ICT talent development: Huawei launches 'Seeds for the Future 2021 Bangladesh'
Huawei Technologies has launched "Seeds for the Future 2021 Bangladesh," for the seventh year in Bangladesh, to inspire ICT talents.
The announcement came through a virtual inauguration event Monday.
State Minister for Information and Communication Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak graced the virtual inauguration ceremony as the chief guest.
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Seeds for the Future is Huawei's flagship corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme dedicated to top science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and non-STEM students worldwide and is meant for developing local talent, enhancing knowledge transfer, and promoting a greater understanding and interest in the ICT sector.
Launched in Bangladesh in 2014, the programme has been nurturing talents for around 10 years in the global scene.
Palak said: "I have been observing Huawei's Seeds for the Future program for quite some time. I must say that this kind of initiative has been contributing a lot to not only in equipping our youth with future-fit ICT skills but also in developing an ecosystem for nurturing ICT talents in the industry."
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"The youths are our future. In upcoming years, we will be heavily reliant on ICT skills. Keeping that in mind, Huawei has designed this programme to equip the youths with necessary skills and leadership qualities," Huawei Bangladesh President George Lin said.
"Seeds for the Future has been at the centre of attention as it has not only enabled the STEM and non-STEM students to enhance their ICT knowledge but also opened up new opportunities for them in the industry. I am hopeful that this year's programme will be, as usual, a revealing experience for all the participants," Dr Mohammad Rubaiyat Tanvir Hossain, head of the electrical and electronic engineering department of the Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology, said.
Read APAC: Huawei to boost startup initiatives to build robust ecosystems
This year, students from different science and engineering universities will join the event; the 18 most talented students based on their academic record, knowledge and innovative thinking will be selected as the winners from Bangladesh.
The winners will be moved to the next step which will be a common platform for all winners of different countries.
Launched globally in 2008 in Thailand, Seeds for the Future has been implemented in around 130 countries worldwide, according to a media statement.
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Huawei supports flood-hit people of Netrokona
Huawei Technologies Bangladesh has stepped forward with relief materials to support the flood-hit people of Netrokona's Khaliajuri upazila.
A relief distribution event was arranged in the district in this connection Saturday.
Many districts of Bangladesh are going through a difficult phase as flash floods have affected people around the country, marooning thousands of people and putting their livelihood in jeopardy.
Read Seeds for the Future winners visit Huawei Bangladesh headquarters
So, Huawei distributed relief items among the needy and flood-affected people in the Netrokona district Saturday.
Around 2,000 families received essential items such as rice, red lentils, potatoes, oral saline, sugar, flour and others.
Huawei Bangladesh CEO Zhang Zhengjun said: "This relief programme is our holistic approach 'In Bangladesh, For Bangladesh – Here for you' towards the betterment of lives in the flood-affected areas, and this includes our efforts to make people's lives better."
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Netrokona Deputy Commissioner Kazi Md Abdur Rahman said, "I would like to thank Huawei for standing beside the flood-affected people of Khaliajuri Upazila. Apart from the government's efforts, contributions from the organisations who have extended their help for the people living in these remote areas have given them a respite from the adversaries caused by the pandemic and the flood."
Khaliajuri Upazila Nirbhahi Officer AHM Ariful Islam said, "For the last three years, Huawei has been distributing relief among flood-affected people of this region. This is a haor area and suffers from inundation most of the time of the year. Against such a backdrop, I think at least 15,000-16,000 people have come under the relief programme. I hope such an initiative will be extended and Huawei will select remote areas like Khaliajuri in future."
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Huawei enables APAC railway digitalisation
Participants at the recent Huawei Asia-Pacific Railway Forum 2021 – "Smart Rail, Better Future Mobility" – explored the innovations to achieve operational efficiency for urban mass transit systems, particularly through driverless operations and workflow management.
The event attracted more than 1,300 railway industry customers, partners, experts, and media from across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region.
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Core Huawei railway industry customers and partners – including the Hong Kong Mass Transit Railway Corporation, Singapore Mass Rapid Transit Limited, and professional services firm Arup Group Limited – participated in a panel discussion, sharing their experiences on the importance of achieving operational efficiency for urban mass transit systems, particularly through driverless operations and workflow management.
Aaron Wang, Senior Vice-President of Huawei APAC Enterprise Business Group, addressed the challenges unfolded by the pandemic, noting that such challenges have also been converted into opportunities for all industries.
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"As a global ICT solution provider, Huawei helps customers such as Singapore's Land Transport Authority, Hong Kong MTR, Turkey TCDD, and Germany's Deutsche Bahn to accelerate their digitalisation by integrating new technologies with traditional infrastructure," Aaron added.
Huawei, partners release 5G White Paper
In collaboration with the industry partners, Huawei recently published a white paper titled "5G-Advanced Technology Evolution from a Network Perspective – Towards a New Era of Intelligent Connect X" to provide guidelines that will help promote 5G technologies and develop a sustainable 5G industry.
China Mobile Research Institute Vice President Duan Xiaodong, GSMA Head of Technology at Greater China Liu Hong, Huawei Cloud Core Network Product Line President Richard Liu, and Nokia Fellow and Chief Advisor of Radio Systems Harri Holma were present at the paper's release ceremony.
The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) has officially announced 5.5G as the second phase of 5G and named it 5G-Advanced to derive greater social and economic value from 5G.
Read: Huawei donates digital equipment to unprivileged children of Obhizatrik School
Industry partners composed this white paper to clarify the requirements and technologies for its evolution from 5G and expedite its development on networks.
5G is essential for upgrading service experience and fueling the digital and intelligent transformation of industries. And the core network plays a pivotal role in 5G-Advanced network evolution. So, it is important to develop 5G core network architecture and technologies in line with the business models.
To enhance network capabilities and meet ever-diversifying service requirements, 5G-Advanced will evolve both 5G architecture and technology.
Read: APAC: Huawei to boost startup initiatives to build robust ecosystems
Also, 5G-Advanced network architecture will facilitate cloud-network and computing-network synergies in better ways.
Moreover, 5G-Advanced technologies will expand the application of AI, allow convergence of different RATs and different types of networks for unified support and enable tailored network services.
This white paper will serve as a valuable reference for 5G-Advanced development.
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Huawei donates digital equipment to unprivileged children of Obhizatrik School
Chinese telecom giant Huawei has contributed digital equipment and other devices necessary to develop a smart classroom for unprivileged children through Obhizatrik Foundation Monday.
To pull off this programme, Huawei has teamed up with Obhizatrik Foundation, an organisation working towards overcoming socio-economic challenges. Under this collaboration, Huawei has donated various items such as Huawei tabs, laptop, router; internet subscription for one year, students' dress, bags, stationeries, masks, and oxygen cylinders to Obhizatrik School.
Also read: APAC: Huawei to boost startup initiatives to build robust ecosystems
The items were handed over to Ahmed Imtiaz Jami, the founder and president of Obhizatrik Foundation, at a ceremony held at Obhizatrik School today.
"Our recent initiative 'In Bangladesh, For Bangladesh – We are Here,' has been mapped out to reach those deprived kids. We believe, even if it is a small initiative, the continued effort will make a difference, and several small streams will converge into a vast ocean finally," Zhang Zhengjun, CEO of Huawei Technologies Bangladesh, said at the event.
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"Obhizatrik Foundation has been working with an unprivileged section of people for a long time. But during the pandemic, we were helpless because of the lack of resources and digital means necessary for online education. We also needed safety materials such as masks and oxygen cylinders to fight the pandemic. Huawei has stepped forward to help the unprivileged children, to close the digital gap and safeguard their health," said Jami.
Read Huawei to invest $150 million in talent development
APAC: Huawei to boost startup initiatives to build robust ecosystems
Huawei Cloud recently announced its plans, including cloud collaboration and innovation programme to supercharge startup growth at the Asia-Pacific Spark Founders Summit held simultaneously in Singapore and Hong Kong.
The Chinese telecom giant will take four initiatives to that end.
The first initiative involves joint outreach by Huawei Cloud and Huawei Mobile Services (HMS).
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Huawei will combine Cloud infrastructure with HMS to empower all industries – from media, entertainment, and finance, to the industrial Internet, healthcare, and education. Huawei Cloud and HMS developers and partners will benefit from unified accounts, one-stop development platforms, and one-stop app distribution and marketing.
Their second initiative is all about continuous tech innovation. Huawei Cloud's Cloud-Native 2.0 solution helps enterprises build full-stack, agile capabilities by leveraging highly efficient infrastructure and leading cloud-native technologies. Singapore-based startup Nestia, online car marketplace UCARS, and Indonesian express delivery company have benefitted from the solution.
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The third initiative will help the startups in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) expand their business into the global market. Huawei Cloud operates 45 availability zones in 23 different geographic regions.
Also, Huawei Cloud will offer a high-quality business ecosystem. It has built high-quality ecosystems for startups in APAC, covering consulting services, SaaS partners, software partners, as well as governments, and top venture capitals.
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"We work with local governments, leading incubators, well-known VCs, and universities, building support platforms for startups across many regions. We launched the Spark Program in APAC last year, with 40 startups joining us so far. We have already helped four of these startups launch new products and completely transform their businesses while helping eight enter new markets." Zhang Ping'an, senior vice-president of Huawei, said.
Huawei to invest $100 million in APAC startup ecosystem in 3 years
Huawei recently announced its plan to invest $100 million in startup support at its inaugural Spark Founders Summit, which took place simultaneously in Singapore and Hong Kong.
The investment would go towards Huawei's Spark programme, which aims to build a sustainable startup ecosystem in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) over the next three years, according to the Chinese tech giant.
Huawei has been helping Singapore build the first startup hub in APAC since 2020 and has expanded the programme to many countries in the region in the past year.
Read: Huawei partners to build 5G automobile ecosphere
At the summit, Huawei also announced that this programme would focus its efforts on developing four additional startup hubs – in Indonesia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam – with the overarching aim of recruiting 1,000 startups, out of which 100 are scale-ups, into the Spark accelerator programme.
Huawei Senior Vice-President and Board Member Catherine Chen said, "We all know how brilliant startups and SMEs are. They are the innovators, disruptors, and pioneers of our times. These companies account for two-thirds of jobs worldwide, create two-thirds of new jobs, and generate almost 50% of global GDP. And 34 years ago, Huawei was a startup with just $5,000 of registered capital."
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"In Asia Pacific, for the Asia Pacific has been our unchanged commitment for the past two decades," said Jeffery Liu, president of Huawei Asia Pacific. "Leveraging Huawei's global customer base and full-stack technologies, the Spark Program will invest over $100 million in the next three years, and provide comprehensive support to build a sustainable startup ecosystem and create new value for the dynamic region."
'Accelerating digital economy key for inclusive integration in APAC'
Participants at the recently held webinar "Accelerate Digital Economy for Inclusive Integration in the Asia Pacific – Connecting Digital Industries in Pandemic" called for leveraging digital opportunities to build an inclusive ecosystem and promoting regional integration, which is particularly important while still combating the pandemic.
A digital economy is increasingly perceived as the way to overcome disruptions caused by Covid-19.
Representatives and thought leaders from government, industry and academic sectors across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) joined the virtual conversation organised by Huawei to explore the multiple facets of the digital economy.
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Ambassador of Indonesia to China Djauhari Oratmangun said, "The digital transformation has been significantly accelerated during the pandemic, speeding up business changes."
Based on digital knowledge and infrastructure, the digital economy has powered a growing proportion of regional GDP and boosted resilience amid the pandemic.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) predicts the digital economy will contribute $1 trillion to regional GDP by year.
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Countries from the region have released future-oriented roadmaps on removing trade barriers, improving digital coverage and ensuring ubiquitous access to digital services to facilitate the implementation of the digital economy.
"The development of the digital economy ecosystem is a process that involves active participation of multiple stakeholders including those from the private sectors," said Dr Le Quang Lan, assistant director for ICT and Tourism Division at ASEAN Secretariat, when referring to enabling a digital economy ecosystem to accelerate social recovery and regional integration.
Dr Tan Khee Giap, chairman of the Singapore National Committee for Pacific Economic Cooperation, said: "Digitalisation is not just about technological progress, but quality empowerment of digitalisation to the public at large is paramount if inclusive integration is to be achieved. The role of the government is providing digital capability as a public good, it can be complemented by private sector ICT companies."
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Professor Jose Decolongon, COO and managing director of Corporate Foresight, Embiggen Consulting Philippines said: "Micro, small, medium enterprises need to have an understanding of digitalisation to perceive the opportunities when it comes to exploring the digital side of the business."