Changpeng Wan
The Sudden Fall of a Xiaomi Star
On September 8, 2025, Xiaomi Corporation dropped a bombshell announcement that reverberated through China’s tech industry: Wang Teng, the high-profile General Manager of Xiaomi China’s Marketing Department and Head of Redmi Brand, had been terminated for serious violations including confidentiality breaches and conflict of interest. The decision, personally endorsed by CEO Lei Jun, represents one of the most significant corporate crackdowns in Xiaomi’s history against a beloved executive.
Wang Teng wasn’t just any manager—he was a 9-year Xiaomi veteran with 1.8 million Weibo followers, responsible for the wildly successful K40 series that dominated the mid-range smartphone market. His dismissal follows Xiaomi’s increasing emphasis on corporate governance and zero-tolerance policies toward ethical violations, reflecting a broader trend among Chinese tech giants.
The Rise and Fall of Wang Teng
Wang Teng joined Xiaomi in 2016 after graduating from the prestigious Huazhong University of Science and Technology. He quickly rose through the ranks, joining the Redmi team in 2020 and becoming one of the company’s most visible executives. His innovative approach to brand marketing, including the 2024 redesign of Redmi’s logo to a bold all-caps red design, demonstrated his marketing genius.
Close Ties to Lei Jun
Wang enjoyed an exceptionally close relationship with Xiaomi founder Lei Jun, who personally tasked him with social media engagement and even joked in Wang’s comments section about his potential to start his own company. This mentor-protégé dynamic made Wang’s dismissal particularly shocking to industry observers.
The Violations That Ended a Career
According to Xiaomi’s internal announcement, Wang committed two cardinal sins: leaking confidential company information and engaging in activities that created conflicts of interest. While previous leaks had resulted in internal discipline, the addition of conflict of interest violations crossed Xiaomi’s bright red line.
Xiaomi’s Corporate Governance Structure
Xiaomi has developed a sophisticated three-tier governance framework for ethical compliance: Board of Directors—Business Ethics Committee—Security Supervision Department. This structure ensures that ethical oversight reaches the highest levels of the organization while maintaining operational independence.
The company’s 2024 annual report revealed extensive anti-corruption efforts, including 36 concluded corruption cases with 8 referred to judicial authorities. In June 2024, Xiaomi dismissed two other regional general managers—Owen (Western Europe) and Chen Bingxu (Latin America)—for fabrication of外包 business and soliciting bribes respectively.
Zero Tolerance Policy
Xiaomi’s official stance emphasizes zero tolerance, complete coverage, and no exceptions for ethical violations. This corporate crackdown mentality reflects growing concerns about maintaining competitive advantage in an increasingly cutthroat smartphone market.
The Bigger Picture: Tech Industry Ethics
Xiaomi isn’t alone in its aggressive stance against ethical violations. Major Chinese tech companies including Tencent, Alibaba, Meituan, JD.com, and ByteDance have all intensified their internal compliance efforts.
– ByteDance terminated 353 employees for violations in 2024, followed by 100 more in Q2 2025
– Alibaba’s Jack Ma famously declared that the integrity department could investigate anyone, including himself
– JD.com’s Richard Liu vowed to spend millions investigating even minor infractions
Why Corporate Crackdowns Matter
As tech companies mature from scrappy startups to established giants, maintaining ethical standards becomes crucial for sustainable growth. Internal corruption doesn’t just represent financial loss—it damages innovation, destroys organizational fairness, and tarnishes brand reputation.
Lessons From the Wang Teng Dismissal
Wang Teng’s story offers several critical lessons for tech companies and professionals:
– No one is immune to corporate compliance requirements, regardless of past performance or relationships
– Social media presence and public profile don’t provide protection against ethical violations
– Companies are increasingly willing to sacrifice high performers who violate core principles
– The line between informal communication and confidential information leakage is increasingly strict
The Future of Corporate Governance in Chinese Tech
Wang Teng’s dismissal signals a new era of corporate governance in China’s technology sector. As companies face increasing regulatory scrutiny both domestically and internationally, internal compliance becomes not just a legal requirement but a competitive advantage.
The corporate crackdown trend shows no signs of slowing, with companies investing more resources in monitoring, investigation, and enforcement. For professionals working in China’s tech industry, understanding and adhering to ethical guidelines has never been more important.
Balancing Innovation and Compliance
The challenge for companies like Xiaomi lies in maintaining the innovative, disruptive culture that made them successful while implementing the structures necessary for sustainable growth. This balancing act requires clear communication, consistent enforcement, and leadership commitment to ethical standards.
Key Takeaways for Tech Professionals
Wang Teng’s story provides valuable insights for technology professionals at all levels:
– Understand your company’s confidentiality policies thoroughly
– Avoid even the appearance of conflict of interest
– Recognize that social media presence creates additional compliance responsibilities
– No amount of past performance guarantees job security when ethical lines are crossed
The corporate crackdown at Xiaomi serves as a stark reminder that in today’s business environment, ethical compliance isn’t optional—it’s essential for career longevity and organizational success.
As China’s tech industry continues to mature, we can expect to see more companies following Xiaomi’s lead in enforcing strict ethical standards. The message is clear: performance matters, but integrity matters more.
For technology professionals, the lesson is equally clear: understand your company’s ethical guidelines, err on the side of caution when handling confidential information, and recognize that no relationship or track record provides immunity from compliance requirements. The corporate crackdown era is here to stay, and adapting to this new reality is essential for long-term career success.
