China-based telecommunications giant Huawei Technologies Co Ltd released its annual report on March 31, 2015. The report shows that the company achieved global sales revenues of 288.2 billion yuan in 2014, up 20.6 percent from the previous year, and the net profit was 27.9 billion yuan, an increase of 32.7 percent.

A communiqué issued by the World Intellectual Property Organization on March 19, 2015 revealed that Huawei was the largest patent applicant with 3442 patent applications in 2014. There is no doubt that Huawei has become a leader in the global information and communication industry.

Lead the field in global smartphones in three years

According to Hu HouKun, rotating CEO of Huawei, their goal is to be a leader in the global information and communications technology industry. "We will adopt a more open attitude and work together with global partners to improve the lives of ordinary people," he said.

Huawei started business with only 21,000 yuan, but in 8 years its annual sales had reached 1.6 billion yuan. It set up its first overseas office in the UK in 2004, and won orders from major multinational operators in Germany, France, Italy and Spain in only three years. In addition, in the three years since Huawei launched its customer business in 2012, it has broken into the first division of the global smartphone business. Its high-end mobile phone products are in great demand in the global market.

Globally recognized leader in 5G standards research and development

To date, Huawei has taken core positions in more than 170 standards bodies or open source organizations, and has been granted 36,511 patents. Over the past year, the company has launched the world's first 5G test bed, introduced the first G • fast prototype and proposed the 5G SCMA (sparse code multiple access) ... Huawei has become a globally recognized industry leader in developing 5G standards.

According to Hu Houkun, the key to Huawei's achievements lies in persistent technological innovation, continuous openness and cooperation, and optimized internal management mechanisms. Huawei invested 40.8 billion yuan in research and development last year, accounting for 14 percent of company revenues. Among its 150,000 employees, more than 45 percent are engaged in innovation, research, or development.

"Customers first" concept wins global trust

Huawei's core value - "customers first" - means that the company exists to serve customers, Hu Houkun said.

Nowadays, the whole world is excited about the future of industrial information technology and digitization. After more than 30 years' reform and opening up, Chinese enterprises have no intention of passing up any opportunity in this industrial revolution. "The new industrial revolution means the coming of a new era where the whole world is being connected. It's essential that Huawe play a leading role in this era," said Hu Houkun.

Huawei's key events in the global market:

1999, set up the first research and development center in Bangalore, India

2001, set up four research and development centers in the U.S.

2005, overseas contract sales exceeded domestic contract sales for the first time

2007, became a partner of all the top operators in Europe

2013, smartphone business breaks into the global Top3

This article was edited and translated from 《华为 让世界联接更通畅》, source: People's Daily Overseas Edition.