Early 2025 saw the AI universe rocked，

By DeepSeek's groundbreaking innovations.

Amid the ensuing frenzy, few expected，

ZTE, a veteran tech giant,

To ride this wave so skillfully.

In early March,

ZTE launched the DeepSeek-powered AiCube Training-Inference Integrated Machine,

A device capable of adapting and deploying the DeepSeek R1 model for enterprises in just hours.

This launch, however, offers merely a glimpse of ZTE's broader AI ambitions.

By the end of 2024,

ZTE had filed over 5,000 AI-related patents,

With nearly half already granted.

Quietly,

This company, which began 40 years ago manufacturing semiconductor-based home appliances,

Is reclaiming its prominence through AI.

While many consumers primarily associate ZTE，

With its smartphones,

Consumer business segment，

Actually accounts，

For less than a third of its total revenue,

With smartphone sector being only a small fraction of that.

ZTE's core strength，

Lies in carrier networks,

Partnering with operators like China Mobile and China Unicom,

To provide essential communication equipment and products, 

Including 5G base stations, optical transmission equipment, and data switches.

The network speed and signals you rely on everyday,

Are very likely supported by ZTE technology.

In 2024,

ZTE ranked fourth globally

Among telecom equipment suppliers,

Serving over 160 countries,

Collaborating with more than 110 carriers,

And connecting over a quarter of the world's population.

ZTE's journey, however, hasn't been smooth.

In 2016,

The United States Department of Commerce imposed export restrictions on ZTE.

According to its financial statements,

These restrictions resulted in direct losses of over 6.18 billion yuan for ZTE,

And a net non-operating deficit of 1.93 billion yuan,

Devastating its profits that year.

North America has been a a critical market for the telecom industry,  

And ZTE responded to these challenges swiftly with strategic adjustments.

A key decision for ZTE was to significantly increase its investment in R&D.

Over the past six years,

The company has invested 117 billion yuan in core technologies.

While ZTE built its legacy on "connectivity,"

Its future now hinges on "computing power."

According to the financial statements of China's big three carriers,

Investment in computing power is projected to maintain a 20% growth rate,

While internet platforms are expected to invest over 500 billion yuan in AI in the next three years.

This presents a golden opportunity for ZTE.

Given the current landscape,

Analysts predict that ZTE's valuation will continue to reach new highs.

In April 2025,

Citibank raised its target stock price for ZTE to HKD27.5,

Implying a potential market cap of nearly HKD200 billion.

As a steadfast proponent of technology-driven development,

ZTE declared in its 2023 annual report:

"Without technological leadership,there is no high-quality growth."

In an ever-shifting landscape,

Firmly gripping the reins of innovation remains ZTE's answer to navigating uncertainty.