Software Maker Mobilizes

Teaming with Xiaomi

In October 2011, Zhang was appointed as the CEO of Kingsoft after a strong recommendation from Lei Jun, chairman of the board of directors. Lei was CEO at Xiaomi Corp, an ambitious smartphone maker that intends to become the Chinese version of Apple Inc.

"Lei is the chairman of the board at Kingsoft. He attends every Monday meeting held at the headquarters," Zhang said, editing a short message on a second-generation Xiaomi smartphone. "Lei cares about this company," he added.

Industry insiders said Kingsoft's software development experience will help to arm Xiaomi's applications arsenal, a move that could benefit both companies.

Looking overseas

In addition, Zhang is also looking outside for investment opportunities. Kingsoft's word processing and anti-virus software entered the Japanese market about seven years ago. Its online games, Web security and office products have also penetrated Southeast Asia markets.

According to Zhang, Kingsoft hopes to enter the United States market by the end of next year. Application software businesses, such as anti-virus products, may be among the first to enter the US market.

The company will not be the first Chinese anti-virus maker doing business in the US. NQ Mobile, a Chinese mobile security company, announced plans to enter the US and European markets.

NQ, which has ambitions to become the world's No 1 mobile security provider, hired Omar Khan, a former senior executive at Motorola and Samsung Mobile, as the company's co-CEO, managing the global expansion project.

Zhang believes NQ is not the biggest rival to worry about.

"We have a great number of strong competitors in the US but we are not hesitant about entering the market because of them," he said.