Huawei, only recently hailed as a patriotic champion of Chinese technology in the face of US sanctions and a global campaign to blacklist its 5G telecoms network, is facing criticism within China over its role in the 251-day detention of a former employee.
The case of Li Hongyuan, a 13-year veteran accused by the company of extortion and subsequently jailed by local police, is shining a new light on Huawei’s long hours, aggressive “wolf culture” and brutal workplace norms.
Such concerns have long trailed the company but had receded over the past year as it battled criticism from several governments. However, Mr Li’s treatment in China is now being compared with that of Meng Wanzhou, Huawei’s former chief financial officer and daughter of founder Ren Zhengfei.