The Real Lesson Xi Can Take From Silicon Valley

As Xi Jinping kicks off his precedent-breaking third term, the Chinese president has made clear that the kind of tech he cares most about is not search engines and finance apps, but semiconductors and artificial intelligence. It’s a pragmatic move for a leader who is under pressure from a US-led global campaign to limit the nation’s rise. At the same time, Xi ought not discard the very executives who could ensure the success of Chinese technology.

Baidu Inc. chief executive officer Robin Li, Tencent Holdings Ltd. chairman Pony Ma and NetEase Inc. chairman William Ding are among those no longer appearing on the list of delegates to the National People’s Congress or Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Bloomberg News noted. Collectively, these corporate titans represent a bygone era where China’s internet sector rose to a commanding role in the nation’s economy.