Qualcomm highlights China as a pivotal business partner

Qualcomm Inc sees huge opportunities in partnering with Chinese companies in 5G, artificial intelligence, internet of things and intelligent connected vehicles, as the US chip heavyweight shared as it highlights its commitment to China.

Frank Meng, chairman of Qualcomm China, told China Daily at the ongoing China International Import Expo in Shanghai that "Qualcomm has consistently considered China as a pivotal business partner and valued customer, viewing it as more than just a market or a link in the supply chain."

According to him, Qualcomm's cooperation with Chinese partners has been instrumental in advancing technology development and introducing products to the global market.

"It's worth noting that nearly half of the initial launches worldwide, featuring Qualcomm's flagship mobile platforms each year, have been brought to consumers by Chinese smartphone companies. This underscores the significance of the Chinese market and our partnership with Chinese companies for Qualcomm," Meng said.

According to him, Qualcomm is a long-standing participant in CIIE, having been part of the event for six consecutive years. The company's extensive cooperation with Chinese ecosystem partners echoes its commitment to advancing societal progress through the products it enables.

This year, together with its partners, Qualcomm showcased the latest technologies and platforms, such as the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 flagship platform, the new Snapdragon X Elite platform reference design - purpose-built for next-generation PC experiences, and the latest achievements and new products from cooperation with Chinese ecosystem partners.

"As 5G and artificial intelligence continues to transform industries and extend its reach to social and consumer spheres, we identify more opportunities and potential for Qualcomm and its Chinese partners," Meng said.

"Our intention is to strengthen cooperation with various sectors in the Chinese industry, including smartphone manufacturers, PC and XR headset companies, wearable makers, and intelligent connected vehicle vendors. Through such cooperation, our aim is to foster win-win partnerships in the global market," he added.

The comments come as the next generation of information technology, led by 5G, is swiftly becoming an integral part of every facet of the economy and society. Concurrently, China has established the world's largest and most advanced 5G network.

"Over the past few years, we have benefited from the advancements in the Chinese mobile industry, and we have plans to strengthen the cooperation, making us optimistic about China's economic prospects," Meng said.

According to him, as generative AI reaches maturity, the demand for running AI large models on handheld devices grows, subsequently prompting a desire among users to upgrade their smartphones. This is an opportunity for both Qualcomm and its Chinese partners.

Meanwhile, the company aims to expand cooperation with Chinese firms in the PC realm. The objective is to deliver enhanced levels of performance, AI, connectivity and battery life to users. Moreover, extended reality stands as another promising next-generation mobile computing platform, where many Chinese players exhibit substantial potential.

The company also aims to tap into the automotive industry. "With the burgeoning growth in the new energy vehicle market and the increasing need for intelligent connectivity technology within vehicles, the automotive industry is poised for transformation and opportunity," Meng said.

"This shift also positions Chinese vendors to be at the forefront in the industry potentially, akin to their role in the smartphone industry," he added.

Since 2021, Qualcomm's Snapdragon Digital Chassis has helped 40-plus Chinese automotive brands in launching more than 100 new models.