Xiaomi pushes AI plans in Optics Valley

Lei Jun, chairman and CEO of Xiaomi, visited East Lake High-tech Development Zone (Optics Valley of China) in Wuhan, Hubei province, on July 19.

One of China’s largest tech giants, Xiaomi floated its shares on the Hong Kong stock exchange on July 9.

Wuhan municipal people’s government signed an agreement with Xiaomi on June 29, 2017, allowing the firm to set up its Wuhan headquarters in Optics Valley of China.

The new headquarters opened for business on Nov 18, 2017, and it is expected to have around 1,000 staff working there by the end of this year, with around 70 percent of the workforce coming from Wuhan.

Lei Jun said that Xiaomi’s Wuhan headquarters will eventually have 10,000 staff members, with a focus on research and development.

The company is planning to set up its artificial intelligence headquarters in Optics Valley of China, according to Lei.

Lei is a graduate of Wuhan University and once ran a business in Guangbutun, which was the cradle of Optics Valley.

Lei Jun (L) visits Optics Valley of China in Wuhan, Hubei province, on July 19. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Lei (second from left) meets with officials from Optics Valley of China, on July 19. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Lei (second from left) and officials of Optics Valley of China pose for a photograph with a map of the zone on July 19. [Photo provided to China Daily]