My CIIE Story • Prominent Platform | Qualcomm grows circle of friends via import expo

Editor's Note: The fifth China International Import Expo will open in less than a month. The "My CIIE Story" activity, which was launched on June 1, has drawn a great deal of attention and many people have shared their experiences related to the expo. A series of works themed on "grand strategy" and "big market" were published in July and August. In September and October, more stories with the themes of "prominent platform" and "great opportunity" will be released.

Qualcomm has been attending the CIIE since 2018. We have made new friends and strengthened the partnership with old friends during the past four editions of the expo and have also contributed to the development of China's wireless communications industry.

I still remember when more than 70,000 people visited our booth at the inaugural CIIE. Our 5G technology, which had not been commercialized then, drew a lot of attention at the expo. This made me more confident that China will become a key market for the 5G technology.

In addition to the 5G Mobile Test Platform, which can deliver information at a speed of 1 gigabit per second, other 5G products by Qualcomm were also showcased at the CIIE. For example, we brought more than 20 kinds of 5G phones and modules to the second edition. During the third CIIE, we showcased a table tennis robot developed with Shanghai University of Sport and Future Mind. The robot was among the major highlights of the expo.

More applications of 5G in sectors like automobile, education and healthcare, as well as other innovations including a flagship SUV and an AI-powered scooter, were also showcased at Qualcomm's booth at the CIIE.

Cristiano Amon, chief executive officer of Qualcomm, said the CIIE offers a valuable platform to further cooperation with Chinese partners. Last year, we joined the integrated circuits and smart mobility and new energy special committees of the CIIE Enterprise Alliance to exchange innovative ideas and seek cooperation opportunities. Presently, our partnerships in China have already expanded to more industries, including automobile and internet of things.

Qualcomm has been increasing investments in China over the past five years. During the period, Qualcomm Ventures has offered capital to over 70 Chinese companies. The number of our employees has grown at an annual rate of more than 20 percent over the past three years. Meanwhile, we have set up five joint innovation centers in China that are related to multiple sectors including 5G, AI, IoT and extended reality (XR).

The CIIE demonstrates China's commitment to high-level opening-up, and Qualcomm also hopes to show its confidence in the Chinese market and determination to work with Chinese partners by participating in the expo.

We will attend this year's CIIE again to showcase our latest products and are looking forward to reaping more benefits.

The author is the chairman of Qualcomm China. He is responsible for strengthening cooperation between Qualcomm and the wireless communications, semiconductor, as well as intelligent terminal industries in China.