Addressing a gathering of executives and researchers from Japan's top companies and universities at a luxury hotel in Tokyo on November 21, Huawei Technologies Chairman Liang Hua spoke of technology and collaboration. He said his company had already spent over US$ 7 billion on procurement in Japan this year and that the total for the year would reach $11 billion, on par with what it spent in the U.S., its biggest supplier, last year. Liang Hua, formerly a supply chain president, was visiting Japan to strengthen ties with Japanese suppliers and hopefully shift the narrative surrounding the beleaguered company. 

(Comment: The U.S. Commerce Department blacklisted Huawei in May, blocking its access to U.S. suppliers and customers, and the company is keen to secure new sources of materials and technology.)