Huawei's Meng Wanzhou takes over as rotating chairperson amid competitive smartphone battle

Meng Wanzhou, daughter of Huawei’s founder Ren Zhengfei, has officially taken over as Huawei’s rotating chairperson, the company announced on Tuesday.

The 52-year-old will hold the position for the next six months, succeeding Eric Xu, while concurrently maintaining her role as Huawei’s chief financial officer (CFO).

This leadership change comes as Huawei, the Shenzhen-based telecom giant and smartphone manufacturer, battles Apple for dominance in the premium smartphone market.

Huawei and Apple both launched their latest devices on the same day in September, with Huawei introducing a high-end, $2,800 tri-fold phone in direct competition with Apple's iPhone lineup.

The rivalry highlights Huawei's ambition to reclaim market share, particularly in China, where U.S. sanctions have significantly impacted the company's global operations.

Meng Wanzhou, often referred to as the "Princess of Huawei" by Chinese media, rose to global prominence after her arrest in Vancouver in December 2018. She was detained on a U.S. extradition request tied to allegations that Huawei-linked companies violated U.S. sanctions by selling equipment to Iran.

Following nearly three years of legal battles, Meng returned to China in 2021 after reaching an agreement with U.S. prosecutors to drop the bank fraud case against her.

Her leadership comes at a crucial time for Huawei as the company looks to navigate a challenging landscape marked by sanctions, technological innovation, and increased competition in the smartphone and telecom markets.

Despite her past legal troubles, Meng is widely regarded as a pivotal figure in Huawei’s strategy, particularly in financial and global regulatory matters. Her return to the executive spotlight is seen as both a symbolic and practical move to strengthen Huawei’s position on the global stage.

With Meng at the helm, Huawei is expected to further its push into premium devices and artificial intelligence while continuing to seek technological independence amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.