A nighttime drone light show in Chongqing formed Afari Technology’s logo above the city skyline. (Photo/Afari Technology)

Chongqing - Chongqing Afari Technology has nominated former Honor CEO Zhao Ming to join its board and serve as co-chairman. The appointment, already cleared by the board’s nomination committee, will be submitted for approval at the company’s first extraordinary shareholders meeting of 2026, with his term aligned to the current sixth board.

Zhao’s appointment supports Afari Technology’s “AI+” strategic transformation. The move strengthens the company’s efforts to advance AI commercialization at a critical stage. 

At Honor, Zhao led the company through challenges and implemented AI strategies early, demonstrating strong execution and technology conversion capabilities. Zhao described his search for new opportunities in September 2025, saying, “I am looking for something that excites me, and that is worth another ten years or more of commitment.”

Zhao holds a master’s degree in Mobile Communications and Electronic Systems from Shanghai Jiao Tong University. His previous roles include 3G R&D engineer, NodeB PDT manager, president of the CDMA, WiMAX & TD-SCDMA product lines, director of global wireless marketing, representative in Italy, president of the Honor Business Unit, and CEO of Honor Terminal Co., Ltd., leading the Honor brand for 10 years. He has more than 25 years of global technology management experience.

Afari Technology, which rebranded in 2024, has accelerated its AI business transformation. Yin Qi, co-founder of Megvii, serves as chairman, and Wang Jun, former president of Huawei’s automotive business unit, is co-CEO. The management team includes senior leaders from the technology and automotive sectors. The company’s strategy focuses on “AI+Vehicles,” emphasizing intelligent driving and intelligent cockpit solutions. Afari has set technological benchmarks with partners including Geely.

Afari Technology has built a strong technical foundation, but its AI business has not yet reached large-scale profitability. In the first three quarters of 2025, revenue reached RMB 6.946 billion (about 942 million U.S. dollars), up 44.27% year-on-year, and net profit attributable to the parent company was RMB 53.28 million, up 33.37%. Profits remain largely derived from traditional manufacturing.

Zhao’s experience in commercial strategy and market execution is expected to accelerate Afari Technology’s transition from technical feasibility to commercial success. His appointment strengthens the company’s capability to scale AI products and solutions while demonstrating the importance of combining technical innovation with business execution. The combination of technology leadership and operational experience positions Afari Technology to advance AI commercialization and drive growth in the broader AI sector.