李开复:开始一个不同的世界

While at Apple from 1990 to 1996, Li Kaifu headed Research and Development groups that developed PlainTalk, the Apple Newton, and several versions of QuickTime, a multimedia framework, capable of handling various formats of digital video, media clips, sound, text, animation and music. His team was also the main force behind the invention of the iPhone, an Internet and multimedia smart phone. But after working with Apple for six years and ultimately being the youngest vice President of the corporation, Li felt that it's time for him to move on again:

"There was a new CEO, who was very unpopular. I felt that I might have to leave. But that six-years at Apple were extremely valuable; I learned a great lesson: only innovations that can bring benefits are real innovations. Research institutions pay attention to the most innovative, yet the real world value the most useful technique."

After Apple, Li Kaifu worked with several other companies including SGI, the company that invented the animation software for the Hollywood blockbusters Jurassic Park and Toy Story, but in 1998, his dream job appeared.

In 1998, Li Kaifu accepted an invitation from Microsoft and returned to China to establish Microsoft Research China. Li said coming back to work in the mainland is to fulfil his father's wish:

"My father had long wished that at least one of his children could return to work for the motherland. He was originally from Southwest China's Sichuan Province. Whenever he talked about his hometown in Sichuan, my father's eyes would fill with tears. He became particularly nostalgic in his older years. He missed his relatives, childhood friends and the sights and sounds of Sichuan. Moved by his patriotism, I didn't hesitate for a second when Microsoft offered me a job to work in Beijing."

Li Kaifu talked about his first impression of Zhongguancun, which is also known as "China's Silicon Valley."

"There are many similarities between the Silicon Valley in San Francisco and China's Zhongguancun. They are both surrounded by prestigious universities and research institutes. As in Silicon Valley, here in Zhongguancun you can find a fast-growing market and many young talented people with great aspirations. Of course, Zhongguancun in 1998 was immature and was at a starting point."

Li Kaifu said the excellent performance of Chinese researchers and his new findings in ancient Oriental philosophy brought him enormous pleasures. Under his leadership, the China Research Center had become a great asset to Microsoft:

"Microsoft set up research centers in many countries. China Center is the one with the greatest number of outstanding essays and patent rights. It also helped transfer many technologies into Microsoft products."

In 2000, due to his outstanding achievements, Li Kaifu was promoted to the position of vice president of Microsoft and shifted to working at the headquarters in the US. He served as vice president of interactive services at Microsoft from 2000 to 2005.

Anchor: In July 2005, after five years with Microsoft, Li Kaifu decided to leave the software giant and work for Google, a move, that again took many people by surprise. Li Kaifu explained his reasons for leaving Microsoft:

"There are two major reasons: reason number one, Google was establishing its China office. By joining Google, I can go back to work in China. Two, Microsoft is traditional and hard to push for new steps. Comparatively speaking, Google is new and innovative in the internet sector, where I can try new things."

Li Kaifu said he had certain criteria for the perfect job: opportunities to learn, interest, and optimization of his influence. Weighing his working conditions with the criteria, he took the position as the CEO of Google China.

But this time, his former employer didn't let him go so easily. He became the focus of a 2005 legal dispute between Microsoft and Google, due to a one-year non-compete agreement that he signed with Microsoft in 2000, when he became its corporate vice president of interactive services.

Li described this period as the darkest period in his life. He was upset by countless false reports and unreasonable attacks from the media. But luckily, Li said his melancholy didn't last long.

"I believe that one should have courage to change things that can be changed, the vision to accept those that cannot, and wisdom to distinguish between the two. After initial dismay and frustration, I realized that the false media reports are the things I can't change, so I don't want to waste a second of my time on it. What I can do is to win the lawsuit convincingly with enough support to prove my innocence."