Campaign Statement
I was appointed as CEO of IBM Greater China Group in March 2022. As the company’s first leader with a completely local background, I joined IBM GCG with the mission to transform the company to adapt to the rapidly changing business environment and deliver the top-class services to our China customers.
IBM has been widely known for its vision and innovative gene. After more than 110 years of development, IBM has evolved into a technology company focusing on hybrid cloud and AI. IBM is helping companies accelerate digital transformation with innovative technologies and industry expertise. Its strong innovation capacity is driven by long-term R&D investment. IBM has been the champion for 29 years in the number of patents registered annually in the US. Since the 1960s, IBM has led several major technological and conceptual innovations in the IT field, including launching the mainframe in 1964, releasing the personal computer in 1981, initiating the concepts of e-commerce and Smarter Planet in 2008, etc. In 1997, the “Deep Blue” supercomputer defeated the world chess champion, demonstrating the power of artificial intelligence technology to the world for the first time. In the past two years, IBM has delivered the most powerful quantum computer and the latest two-nm chip technology, continuing to lead a new round of IT innovation and breakthroughs.
IBM’s business history in China dates back to 1936. It is one of the first foreign companies that set foot on China after the country opened up to the outside world in the late 1970s. Our business in China has grown considerably since then, and further accelerated with China’s entry to the WTO. Today we have more than 14000 employees across the country. IBM is a major contributor to China’s rapid development of ICT industry, and a key providers of solutions for digital transformation and sustainable development. We serve many Chinese clients and MNCs, including the country’s top ten banks, top three telecom operators, seven of the top ten life insurance companies, six of the top ten automobile producers, five of the top ten electronics manufacturers, and ten of the top twenty retailers. Over the years, we have built solid partnerships with industries, government, and academia, playing an active and conducive role in the China-US trade relations.
Over the past four decades we have witnessed and successfully navigated periods of tension, uncertainty, and change. But recently we, like all businesses operating in China, are facing heightened uncertainty and unprecedented challenges as the bilateral relationship between the two countries has descended to a dangerous low point. IBM will continue engaging with both US and China governments to advocate for de-escalation of the tensions and constructive dialogs to address disagreement and promote a benevolent business environment for American companies doing business in China, because we believe that engaging with governments – even when we disagree – is the best path to good policy outcomes. With its unique position in China, AmCham China is playing an increasing important role in bridging the communications and pressing for enhancing regulatory environment in China for foreign companies.
As a veteran business leader with three decades of cross-industry management experience in Chinese companies (some of which are the national champions), I understand very well how to build relationship with clients and facilitate the achievement of best outcome. I am confident that my rich knowledge of indigenous business culture, Chinese regulatory environment and long-time relationship with Chinese stakeholders will allow me to make unique contribution to AmCham China’s policy advocacy efforts, particularly in developing relationship with local partners and promoting communications between between the business groups from both countries.
As AmCham is playing an increasingly crucial role to support our members in China, I look forward to contributing special value to the association with my unique perspective and enriching talent portfolio of Board of Governors.
I would appreciate your vote and, if elected, will be honored to serve.
Biography
Xudong Chen is currently the Chairman and General Manager of IBM Great China Group (GCG) and is accountable for overall performance of IBM GCG across multiple business units.
Xudong Chen is a transformational and transboundary business leader with over 30 years of management experience across industries and cultures. He started his career as a software engineer in 1992 and progressed to achieve an outstanding track record of business leadership, bringing proven results of growth within an environment of transformational dynamics.
Prior to IBM, Xudong Chen assumed senior management roles in Lenovo, Meituan, Yangtze Memory and other companies, where he accumulated rich management experience and business expertise. In his 24 years with Lenovo from 1993 to 2017, his career spanned marketing & sales, channel management, business operations, quality management and regional management, covering PC, smart phone, and global services businesses. During his tenure as the President of Lenovo’s China CEO, Xudong Chen led the charge in driving Lenovo’s rise to the absolute leader in China’s computer market.
Between 2017 and 2022, Xudong Chen took senior leadership roles in Sanpower, Meituan and Yangtze Memory.
Xudong Chen obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Statistics from Peking University in 1989 and Master’s degree from the same university in 1992. He completed the Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) program at China Europe International Business School in 2007. He and his family currently live in Beijing.