Cisco Systems(US:CSCO) Xin Lang Cai Jing·2025-06-24 11:26Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the historical relationship and rivalry between Huawei and Cisco, highlighting key events that shaped their interactions and the competitive landscape in the telecommunications industry. Group 1: Historical Context - The first contact between Huawei and Cisco occurred in 1997, but it was missed due to Cisco's CEO, Chambers, being on a business trip [4][5]. - After the missed meeting, Huawei learned from IBM, which significantly improved its research and development capabilities [7]. Group 2: Competitive Dynamics - In 2002, Huawei showcased its products at a telecom equipment exhibition in Atlanta, offering prices 20% to 50% lower than Cisco's comparable products [9]. - Following this, Chambers visited Huawei's booth, leading to the establishment of a task force at Cisco to counter Huawei's growing presence [14]. Group 3: Legal Battles and Resolutions - Cisco filed a lawsuit against Huawei in 2003, claiming infringement of intellectual property rights, which lasted over a year before both companies reached a settlement [16][14]. Group 4: Evolving Relationship - After the lawsuit settlement, Chambers visited Huawei in 2005, where he expressed admiration for Huawei's competitiveness [19]. - Over the years, both leaders acknowledged each other as worthy opponents, with Chambers inviting Ren Zhengfei to visit the U.S. and Ren humorously declining, citing a preference for Europe [25]. Group 5: Learning from Competitors - In 2020, Ren emphasized the importance of learning from great competitors like Chambers, despite Huawei facing significant challenges from U.S. pressures [27].